Readings
I - Ezk. 33: 7-9
II - Rom. 13: 8-10
III - Mt. 18: 15-20
BRING BACK THE STRAYED
The crux of the three readings of the day is about the straying sheep to the sheepfold. In the first reading God exhorts to warn the wicked to turn from his way. Failing to do so will be responsible for the person who dies in his iniquity. By warning the wicked, we not only save his soul, we save our own soul as well. In the Gospel passage Jesus gives a ‘bringing back process’ of the sinned: first to point out when the person is alone; second, by taking along one or two persons; and finally to hand him to the Church. This process has to be done all in love because in the second reading St. Paul says that love does no wrong to a neighbour. Only in dealing with love, shall we be just and merciful.
There are four ways in treating the one who wrongs: one, to be revengeful; two, to be indifferent; three, to defame and four to point out the mistake in love with an intention to correct that person. In the light of the readings of the day, examine every one of your action towards your neighbour. Where there is love there is no rash judgment, condemning, backbiting and defaming. Have courage to point out in love so that we may have the privilege of bringing the strayed to the sheepfold.
