* XXIII Ordinary (A), September 4, 2005*
Theme: “Keeper” of Our Brothers and Sisters and Community

* Introduction: * All three readings today refer to our relations with one another
* The First Reading from Ezekiel 33* Is situated at a time after the return from the exile in Babylon* God asks the prophet to be a “Watchman” or a “Sentinel” for the people:* Not a “Busy-Body”* But rather a sentinel posted to warn of the approach of foreign invaders.* In this case, to warn the people that they are letting pagan gods and foreign values replace their allegiance to the one true God.* The prophet has to watch out for the safety of the rest of the community.
* In Romans 13, Paul reminds us that* The first three commandments of the Decalogue refer to our relationship to God,* The other seven refer to our relationship to others.* Today’s reading summarizes our responsibilities toward others in the “Law of Love” that Jesus proclaims.
* Finally today’s Gospel is taken from Matthew 18* We recall that in Chapter 16 - Jesus gives the power to “Bind and to Loose” to Peter.* Here in Chapter 18 - Jesus extends that power to all the disciples in general.* As disciples we take on the responsibility of building the community:* To loose people from needless burdens* To bind people to the law of love
* By way of summary:* According to Scripture, “Are we our brother’s keeper?”* You “Bettcha” - No way around it
* In reflecting on these reading over the course of the week, several ideas struck me. I would like to share a couple with you today.* These readings talk about the prophetic and loving correction of members of the community.
* Sometimes - it means dealing with people individually.* For myself as Pastor, I sometimes have to call into question some of the activities of members of the parish community. * It is not easy* I have to make sure that I do not act in anger, but rather calmly for the benefit of the person and the community.* Sometimes I do it well; sometimes I do not.* At times - people call my actions into question.* It happened this week.* Someone challenged me severely but respectfully for my benefit and for the benefit of the community.* I have to reflect on this challenge seriously* To be the Keeper of our brothers and sisters, not in the sense of spying, but out of real love for the person and the community is what we are asked to do as Christians.
* Sometimes - I believe, we are asked to prophetically challenge our government.* This week we have all been horrified by the television and newspaper reports of the devastation in New Orleans and on the Gulf Coast in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.* Hurricanes are awesome events in nature. * We all understand the destruction that they can cause.* However, far worse than the destruction caused by nature was the disaster caused by the disgraceful lack of response by our Federal Government in the aftermath of the hurricane.* The Director of Homeland Security was quoted this week in the L. A. Times as saying, “He was unaware of the problem.”* I hesitate to say this, but I can’t help but think that if this disaster had occurred in Malibu to rich White folks, there would have been a different Federal response than the one we see as the devastation hit poor Black folks in the Deep South.* Our Country is better than that - or it should be.* Fraternal correction in this instance might be in contacting the White House and our Representatives in Congress asking them to put all resources and power into the effort to save and support the victims of Katrina.* Sometimes, professing our faith means to prophetically challenge those who govern.* In this case, the need is urgent* (One way to register concern can be found through our website: blessedsacramenthollywood.org)
* Can a person living alone on a dessert island be a Christian?* Faithful to God* But never wanting contact with another human being* I do not think so* (Even Christian hermits - monks - have the obligation to pray for others in the world)* As Christians, we do have a responsibility to take care of one another, especially to care for the most vulnerable in our midst.
* Monday is Labor Day* We humans are co-creators with God and have personal responsibility for our world.* Let us pray for all who labor to make the world a better place for us all.* Let us pray that God might lead us and guide us as co-creators* Let us pray most especially for the victims of Hurricane Katrina and for their families.
* Amen

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