What to do when others refuse to repent

Good News Reflection
Wednesday of the Nineteenth Week of Ordinary Time
August 11, 2010

Today's Saint: Clare of Assisi
Pray for those involved with television industry:
http://wordbytes.org/saints/DailyPrayers/Clare.htm

Today's Readings:
Ezek 9:1-7; 10:18-22
Ps 113:1-6
Matt 18:15-20
http://www.usccb.org/nab/081110.shtml
USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/10_08_11.mp3

What to do when others refuse to repent

Ezekiel lived through the capture of Israel by the Babylonians. Because the people had turned away from their faith, God gave visions to the prophet and inspired him to call the people to repentance so that they could return home.

In the vision of slaughter in today's first reading, the only ones who were saved from death were those who hated the abominations of evil. The destruction of evil-doers began in the sanctuary, where the glory of God had dwelled before the people chased him out.

It's just as true today when our sanctuaries are taken over by clergy who abuse their authority or when parish ministries are taken over by laity who cause division and strife. And it's equally true when we chase God out of the personal sanctuaries of our hearts through any unrepented sin.

When God is expelled, a venial sin becomes a mortal sin. But when we seek healing through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, God brings us back home from the place of our enslavement.

Are there people who are causing you problems because of their unGodly ways? Do you have a spouse who's broken the covenant of your marriage vows? Is there a friend whose addictions are destroying your relationship? Do you know a priest who is causing his flock to suffer?

Jesus tells us what to do about it in today's Gospel reading. We are to give sinners the opportunity to see the truth by speaking to them privately – compassionately, of course, while standing firm in the truth.

If that doesn't work, we're to try again with an intermediary who understands the situation. This should be someone who loves God and loves you and cares about the offender, too. And if that fails, we have to escalate the call for help. God works through the larger Church and, when necessary, through avenues of help offered by civil society.

If the personal approach fails, we must report the offense to whomever can stop the abuses, regardless of the consequences, or else we're contributing to the sin. We're to treat these people as members of God's family who have left home. This is what "ex-communication" means. And if it's a situation where we cannot make them leave, we have to leave. We have to go to where we can be safe.

But remember how Jesus treated Gentiles and tax collectors: He never stopped caring about them, and when they were willing to listen to him, he dined with them.

This escalation of intervention works, because we are not alone in our efforts to stop the sin. This is why Jesus adds that we are to pray together. There is great supernatural strength in the prayers of the faithful who are united in taking a stand against evil. We must never give up hoping and praying, never stop reaching out when we can, and never try to handle it by our isolated selves.

© 2010 by Terry A. Modica
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