“Friends Don't Let Friends…”

 

Deacon Dave · “Friends Don't Let Friends…”

Homily for the 23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Sept. 6, 2020. Readings: Ezekiel 33:7-9; Romans 13:8-10; Gospel of St. Matthew 18:15-20. Theme: “Friends Don't Let Friends…” 

I am sure we’re all familiar with the public service announcement reminding us that “friends don’t let friends drive drunk”. And we can easily see the wisdom and love that is at the heart of that statement. And as tragic as the potential loss of human life can be, the loss of one’s immortal soul is even more tragic. Why? Because our span of life on planet Earth - even if it is a very long one - is not the whole story of our existence. 

In other words, we each survive our physical deaths. We move on to continue our existence in another realm or dimension or place, or however you wish to describe it. Today’s readings remind us that the reality of surviving our physical deaths can be experienced as a pleasant or a dreadful destiny. To put it in traditional Catholic vocabulary, we can either live according to God’s Word and reach eternal life in Heaven or live life according to our own terms and merit eternal separation from all that is good in Hell. And while that decision of destiny is up to each one of us, our Faith teaches us that we have a responsibility towards others in this regard. 

This can be a very difficult truth for us to live out because our culture tells us that religion is a person’s private affair. However, as Christians we are counter-cultural in many ways and this is one of them. We have a duty to help others come to know and love God in this world so that they can choose to be forever happy with Him in the next. But all too often we hesitate, we feel uncomfortable speaking up, we disconnect from this social obligation that we have as an expression of love for our neighbor. 

But, you know, there is a proper way to go about it. We don’t roll into someone’s life like a bulldozer but we wait for the opportunity to speak up to present itself organically. We try to be aware of the right time and the right place to have this interpersonal exchange. And when it happens we do our best to express our thoughts with gentleness and understanding. In today's Gospel Jesus shows us the importance of respecting personal dignity by first of all speaking up when we are alone with them. We choose not to do so in front of others or in a way that might embarrass them. We only bring in others only when it is a matter of great import or a serious occasion of harm and when we see that our solo efforts are not sufficient. But even in such a situation the Lord tells us to preserve the spirit of friendship and charity. 

Today’s First Reading holds up to us the figure of the prophet Ezekiel who was tasked with being a watchman for the Lord, alerting people to spiritual danger. We Christians are also prophets, anointed as such at Baptism. We are tasked like Ezekiel to tell the truth about right and wrong, to point out error and deceit. Being bearers of the light of Christ we have a moral duty to enlighten those who are confused and wandering through life. But we are called to do this with the kind of approach and attitude that Jesus Himself used when correcting others. His words and actions were tailored to the individual and it was clear that he had a person’s best interest at heart when speaking the truth out of love. But how can we know how to imitate Jesus? By praying with the Gospel every day! It’s there that we learn His life and teachings. It ‘s there that we learn from His lived example. 

We are also able to become more Christ-like because of the Eucharist that we celebrate, receive and adore. At the Eucharist, we hear the Word of God proclaimed and explained and so are taught the truth that we must speak. At the Eucharist, we come into intimate communion with Jesus the Bread of Life, and receive the power of His presence within us, enabling us to become channels of His gentle and healing mercy to our brothers and sisters, no matter who they may be. Through our devotion to the Eucharist we are strengthened to become Christians who, to tweak the public service announcement a bit, are friends who do not let their friends drive their lives full speed into the eternal self-destruction of Hell.