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Twenty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Reading I: Ezekiel 33:7-9 mutual concern in the eschatological community Hurricane Katrina has just hit and left devastation across the States of Mississippi and Louisiana. The cities of New Orleans with its famous Bourbon Street and Biloxi seem to be no more. Everyone is concerned. People are bothered about where Relatives may be. The picture of Biloxi resident Harvey Jackson is unforgettable as he speaks of his wife, Tonette, who is missing after surging waters hit their house. The Governor of Louisiana Kathleen Blanco was in tears as she addressed the devastation in her State. Louisiana’s Lieutenant Kevin Cowan from the Department of Emergency said, “It breaks your heart to see these beautiful historical buildings that may be ruined, but your heart goes out to the people who are loosing their homes and loosing everything they had.’ 2. These are real horrors of the hurricane. But history has shown us that people from all countries have been very resilient. They will rise again. The Tsunami that hit Indonesia
and Thailand is now history and people are rebuilding. However in the midst of all these disasters, there is another concern that must be foremost in our mind. It is one that is often in the minds of our
grandparents and parents. It is a concern for the spiritual and moral welfare of our children and grandchildren
3. We see that in our first reading today. The people have returned from their exile. They would probably have come back to the same sight of total ruin that we have seen on TV these last few days. Houses,streets, their synagogues and even the Temple all in ruin. The first feeling is that of total despair and “what is the use.” Ezekiel looks on his role as a prophet as being one of a watchman. It was essential for the welfare of the people. They did not want to be defeated and taken captive again. This was the reaction after the Tsunami. People said that given the modern advance in technology, we must set up a “watch system” so that even if Nature takes it course, human beings should be able to take the necessary precautions not to be wiped out and destroyed. And many centuries ago, with different circumstances, Ezekiel is also going to be a watchdog for the people of Israel. However he had seen that as a Kingdom, Israel was beyond his protection and his mandate. Now he would be concerned not with the Kingdom but with the individual person in that chosen People of Israel 4. Ezekiel’s vigilance will be with individuals. If he sees danger, he will warn the individual. If the individual takes heed, and is saved, all is well and good. If the individual does not care - like many in the Hurricane Katrina did not evacuate, but chose to stay and “weather” things out, then the prophet Ezekiel would not be held responsible for that person’s demise or destruction. 5. The main reason however, for the choice of the reading from Ezekiel was to introduce us to the theme of the Gospel. It is a mutual and lasting care and concern for the eschatological community. It is a concern for the salvation of those who have chosen to walk in the path of Christ. Matthew writes long after the Resurrection and when the Christian Community had established itself as a legitimate and viable community. Matthew is now concerned about their ultimate (eschatologica) salvation. It is a “look to the future” background that he colours this episode in the life of Christ. 6. Connected with last Sunday’s Gospel, we find a concern for the CHURCH. This is the only passage in all four Gospel, where term CHURCH is mentioned. The concern of the Church is the salvation of all and each one in particular. The power of the Keys given to Peter alone, two Sundays ago, is extended to all the Apostles after the resurrection. And finally it is given to everyone in the Church as it is coupled with the responsibility of caring for those who most need salvation, who most need healing. And we go back to Ezekiel, - each one of us individually is in need of healing, caring
and salvation. This sometimes has to be in the form of Discipline as we admonish one another, as we ask each other in fraternal love to “get our act together.” If we do this in the
love of Christ, and with the care of the Good Shepherd no one can take umbrage, no one can be hurt. Together we will give Thanks to the Lord our God. |
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