Our readings today remind us of an important truth, one which is found in the Book of Genesis, the very first book of the Bible: We are our “brother’s keeper”. Behind this commandment to care about our brother or sister’s earthly and spiritual well-being is the God who desires his children to flourish in this life and to share his joy for all eternity.
In the second reading, St. Paul’s words are simple and yet profound: Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another. God is love, and he has commanded us to love our neighbor, to will their well-being, so to speak. This doesn’t sound that difficult – of course we wish our neighbor the best, why wouldn’t we? But what about when we see others living apart from God? How do we respond? The first reading and the Gospel make it clear that we should not sit idly by. God tells Ezekiel that he will be responsible for the wicked one’s death if he does not try to dissuade him from his wicked way. And in the Gospel Jesus gives specific instruction about how to correct someone who has sinned against us in person. Notice his words: Go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. In other words, don’t gossip or complain about the behavior to anyone else. Confront the person directly from a position of love.
Is this easy? No. Call it tough love, accountability, fraternal correction or perhaps “speaking the truth in love,” as St. Paul advises in Ephesians. Our Catholic tradition even lists this action among the spiritual works of mercy, calling it “admonishing the sinner.” Whatever we call our efforts to help inform our brother or sister that their actions are leading them away from God, they must be motivated by mercy – by love. All these efforts have one aim: to win our brother or sister over, to bring them back into communion with God and with the Church.
Jesus acknowledges that, at times, we will encounter situations where fraternal correction seems fruitless. People are not always ready to change. That’s where the Church can be a powerful intercessor. Jesus tells us that if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. In the end, only God can change hearts. But as the Church, we can join together in powerfully interceding for them, asking the Holy Spirit to move their hearts toward reconciliation.
When we come to the Eucharist, let us come with gratitude that our God longs for the salvation of every human person. Let us give thanks that he has called us to play a small part in helping our brothers and sisters on their journey to heaven, and let us ask him for the grace to lovingly call one another to greater holiness.