The deacons are preaching in my parish this weekend. This homily will be preached at the prison this weekend.
We have some very insightful readings today. First, from the book of the prophet Ezekiel, God appoints the prophet as a watchman for Israel. It is Ezekiel’s duty and responsibility to listen to God’s warnings and to pass down these warnings to the people. Ezekiel is to help them repent for their sins. This message addresses the prophet’s responsibility of the community, our accountability to God and to each other, and our call to correct and guide us other with compassion and love. God wants members of the community to be accountable to one another.
This message is reflected in our Gospel today as Jesus instructs the community in dealing with a brother who is in error. Jesus tells us to avoid gossip or to complain to others about that person. And that is often our first inclination, isn’t it? But rather than complain to others and to throw someone under the bus, we are to address that person directly. If this person does not respond, then we are to take one or two brothers with us to serve as witnesses, to help resolve the situation. The wider community is then brought into the situation, but only minimally; enough to bring the offender to repentance. Only when this does not work, then the complaint is brought to the entire community. Speaking the truth is important, but care for the person in question is important too. Also, care for the entire Church community is important as well.
Whether we are in the free world, or whether we are residing here behind bars, conflict resolution is important, isn’t it. Sometimes we can see our own perspective, but not the perspective of our neighbor. Sometimes we can be overcome with anger or frustration or hurt feelings, which might not allow us to see the other side. Sometimes we have a story and we want to stick to that story, even when that story never really was true and that story starts to fall apart.
A few weeks ago, we commemorated the saint Edith Stein, a Roman Catholic nun who was originally Jewish and who was arrested by the Nazi regime because of her Jewish origins. She died as a prisoner in the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland. In the early days of the Nazi regime, when things started to fall apart and when Jews were being targeted, she wrote a letter to the pope to speak out about what was going on in Europe at the time, telling him that those who remain silent are responsible. We cannot just sit back and let things happen if we know that something wrong is going on. We have a responsibility to ourselves and to the community. Why do you think I am involved in prison ministry. We have a responsibility to each other in society, to help each other and to be there for each other. I help in the process of forgiveness. To reconcile with our brother when there is a conflict. To correct our brother when he needs correction.
I think of Ezekiel and his task to be watchman for the people of Israel. A watchman is the person whose job was to stand on a tower and look out to warn of any coming danger. This image of watchman standing on a tower illustrates how Ezekiel would receive the word of God and then warn God’s people of their sins. Hopefully, then, the people would repent and be saved from God’s wrath. God described his people as rebellious, so this was not small task. Although Ezekiel’s job would not be easy, it would be necessary for God’s people to flourish.
This task of watchman is not any easier for us today as it was in ancient Israel. Like Ezekiel, there are many who are rebellious, who will not listen to words of warning. As we hold our brothers accountable to our faith, there may be tension and anger, and we not want to speak out. But the Holy Spirit is with us. We can pray and ask God for the right words to say in these difficult situations.
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