In a world where minding your own business is fast becoming the norm, we tend to develop an attitude of indifference in what other people are doing. Whether they do right or wrong, our belief is that everyone is accountable for whatever happens to his own self. But is this also applicable in the Christian faith, particularly in the community of believers?
This Sunday’s readings remind us of the need to correct our brothers and sisters who go astray into the path of sinfulness. In Ezekiel 33:7-9, the prophet was designated by God as a watchman of Israel. As such, his responsibility is to call sinners to repentance and warn them of the dire consequences of their evil ways. If, despite the warning, the sinner persists in sin and dies, the watchman is freed from any accountability. If, on the other hand, the prophet witnessed his fellow Israelite’s sinful ways but did not bother to correct him, he shall be accountable when that sinner dies because of his sin.
In the gospel (Mt 18:15-20), Jesus outlines a procedure in dealing with a believer who sins against a fellow believer. The first step is for the offended party to approach the offender in private to tell him his fault, with only the two of them present. If the offender refuses to listen, the second step is for the offended party to bring in two or three witnesses in the discussion table. If still, the offender keeps his stand, the third step is for the offended person to seek help from the church. If, despite this intervention by the church, the sinner hardens his heart, Jesus’ instruction was for the church to treat that unrepentant sinner like a Gentle or tax collector, meaning, a non-believing public sinner who is excluded from the family of believers.
The exclusion of the sinner is not an exercise of self-righteousness, for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23). The exclusion is meant to impress upon the sinner the gravity of sin, with the hope of making him realize the need for repentance.
The motivation of Christian correction is thus Christian love. In Romans 13:8, St. Paul tells us to owe nothing to anyone except to love one another, for love is the fulfillment of the law. It will not always be easy winning a sinner back to a righteous life. We all know, for instance, how hard it is for people enslaved by vices and worldly pleasures to detach themselves from these addictions and ‘false gods,’ yet there is hope. Jesus hated sin but loved the sinner. The gospel is filled with stories of the Lord associating with the worst of sinners, and we know why he did so. He said, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Lk 5:32).
Like Ezekiel, may we be a watchman to our fellowmen; like Jesus, may we not give up on our efforts to find and restore the lost sheep; and following Paul, may love impel us to do good to our neighbor, for this is what faith in action means.