NOTES FOR REFLECTION

September 4                                                      NOTES FOR REFLECTION                               Pentecost 12

Texts: Ezekiel 33:7-11; Romans 13:8-14; Matthew 18:15-20

Theme:  "Confronting Wrongdoing", perhaps, or (with apologies to Cain) "I AM My Brother's Keeper".

Introduction.  Our readings don't get any easier!  And they don't get any less counter-cultural, either.  Today the language of "sin" is heard only on the lips of American televangelists or Tea Party political aspirants.  In this country we even shy away from words like "moral" or "ethical".  People under suspicion routinely stress that they have done nothing "illegal"; rare is the interviewer who follows up with the obvious question, "Well, how about immoral or unethical – have you done anything of that nature?"  To suggest that somebody may have done something immoral or unethical is to invite immediate protest.  Who are we to judge?  Being though t judgmental  is the pits.

But Scripture says otherwise.  We warn people who are in physical danger: Scripture says we should also warn them when they are in spiritual danger.  Ezekiel is told a failure to do just that would render him accountable to God for the harm that befalls those he does not warn.  St Paul directs our attention to our own behaviour; and St Matthew outlines what is to be done when one of our fellows transgresses against another.

Background.  In his commentary on St Matthew's gospel, David E Garland comments on today's passage as follows:

These instructions picture a community where every member watches over another, the whole church assumes responsibility for every member, and every member is accountable to the whole church...  This may seem unduly intrusive to modern readers imbued with the spirit of rugged individualism, but a sense of household solidarity offered the early Christians security in a hostile world.

We might contrast that with our modern obsession with the Privacy Act, due process, the right to silence, and scandalous cover-ups.

Ezekiel.  At the heart of Ezekiel's prophetic call is his role as the nation's "watchman".  A watchman kept look-out on the city walls to warn the populace of impending attack.  Ezekiel was to warn the people of the catastrophic consequences if they didn't repent and return to God.  If he failed to warn them, their death would be on his head.  If he warned them and they failed to heed the warning, they would suffer the consequences but he would be saved.  A key verse is v.11; God does not want the wicked to die, he wants them to repent.

Taking It Personally.

·         If you saw someone doing wrong would you intervene?  Would you distinguish between something illegal and something unethical?  Would you remonstrate with that person, or report him/her to the appropriate authority?

·         Would you be more or less inclined to intervene if the person were known to you?  A family member/colleague/friend/member of your church?

·         Do you feel any responsibility for the wrongdoing of others?

·         Would you be more likely to intervene to prevent self-harm or physical harm to another?  What about spiritual self-harm?

·         How would you react if your behaviour was challenged by a fellow church member?

Romans.  St Paul shifts our focus from the wrongs of others to our own wrongs.  Notice that this passage is not cast in terms of warning – behave like this or else!  This is the way to live, not to avoid God's wrath, but to respond to his love.  In essence, we should seek to love our neighbours as ourselves, and to live lives that can withstand the light of day.  It is important to remember that the letter is addressed to the whole congregation, not to an individual.  In that context, "dissension and jealousy" are to be treated just as seriously as "sexual immorality and debauchery".

Taking It Personally.

·         This is another good passage for a spiritual stock-take.

·         Remember that the measure is Jesus himself, not our neighbours and fellow church members.  To what extent have you "clothed yourself with Christ"?

Matthew.  Here is a very practical procedure for dealing with wrongdoing within the church.  The first point to note is the placing of this passage within the context of chapter 18 as a whole.  First comes the disciples' question about status within the kingdom of heaven.  The answer is that childlike humility is to be the hallmark of greatness within the kingdom.  Then comes the truncated version of the Parable of the Lost Sheep.  We should spare no effort to draw the stray back into the fold.  Then comes today's passage, and this is followed by the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant.  In short, today's passage is to be understood within the context of humility, reconciliation, and unlimited forgiveness.

But it's also about truth.  Wrongdoing within the fellowship must be confronted, not so that the wrongdoer can be punished, but so that he can be brought to see the error of his/her ways and repent.  To turn a blind eye – to keep the peace and avoid a fuss – is not being kind or holy: it is being literally irresponsible.  It is failing to take responsibility for bringing the wrongdoer back to the right path.

Note that the whole passage is probably intended as one coherent teaching.  Verse 18 emphasises that the church has authority to determine the outcome of such disputes; and verses 19-20 promise the guidance of God's grace, through the presence of Christ, in those deliberations.

Finally we should note that the initiative lies with the aggrieved person, not with the offender.

Taking It Personally.

·         Have you ever felt aggrieved by the action or word of a fellow member of your church?   What did you do about it (if anything)?

·         Has anyone ever confronted you in this sort of way?  How did you respond?

·         In general, how do you deal with personal conflict?  Do you prefer to have it out, or shut it away?