Twenty Third Sunday Ordinary

Twenty-third Sunday Ordinary
September 4, 2005

"You... I have appointed watchman for the house of Israel... you shall warn them for me." (Ezekiel 33:7-9) "Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another" (Romans 13:8-10) "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:15-20)

These passages center on our responsibility for each other and the expectation for mutual correction. Ezekiel is given the unenviable task of being a moral guardian of Israel. Jesus gives his disciples rules for what we might today call "progressive discipline". St. Paul reminds us that this should always be done in the context of a caring community.

Most of us would like to think of ourselves as direct descendents of Ezekiel: divinely appointed moral watchdogs of the behavior and attitudes of others. But this role in any community, church, family, or work, is fraught with many traps. Among these is the tendency to assume it before we have allowed ourselves to be corrected by others. The communities we worship, live and work in are the voice of God. The right to correct others is not given because we have attained a certain age, education or title. Moral authority is a privilege which resides in our communities, and in individuals willing to be subject to it.

I recall many years ago when I was much more of a wild man than now, being gently but firmly confronted by a wise and more mature senior colleague about my behavior. He pointed out how aggressive, intolerant and demanding I could be with students and colleagues. I had no idea how I had been coming across and at first was shocked and defensive at hearing this. But I was given this information with such obvious concern and objectivity that I could not ignore it. I don't remember his words. I do remember the pastoral way this correction was given. No moral high ground, easy analysis of why I was doing it or other implied condemnation. It came at just the right moment when I was able to receive it without instantly rejecting it. This was a moment of spiritual visitation, the beginning of a conversion process in which I slowly learned to look inward instead of toward others as the source of problems. I eventually realized that the real problem I was having was that I was angry that the institution was not running as if I owned it!

I remember many other corrections before and since, by mentors, those younger than I, and peers. The ones that were most often successful in getting through to me were those which had similar characteristics: low on aggression and superiority, high on humility, objectivity and concern. It is a difficult process to disengage from the illusion that we are the final arbiter of all wisdom and truth for others. But it is the beginning of spiritual maturity.