Apologetic Reconciliation

MT 18: 15-20 / 9.6.20

One of the greatest of human challenges is owning up to an error of speech or action we carry out that either insults or injures another person.  This week’s readings (particularly the Gospel) clarifies the inherent responsibility we have as disciples, to address both our own unscrupulous behaviors and those of others who are causing some type of disruption or disorder tot the community.  This responsibility is echoed in God’s words to His son, “ I have appointed you to be a watchman for the house of Israel.” It appears that God is also reminding us that we bear a similar responsibility to be watchmen as we walk the earth now.

 

The goal is reconciliation (if we are the one who has caused some damage to another) or participate in the reconciliatory process with another who is behaving in a destructive manner. I have taken the liberty of coining this process “apologetic reconciliation.”  In summary, St. Teresa’s prayer gives the reader a pause for thought on this Gospel message.  Christ has no body but yours.  Yours are His hands, feet & eyes.  You are His body, for Christ has no body now on earth but yours.  For me, it has been a great paradox (as one who bears the sign of Christ through my baptism & ongoing conversion) to charitably confront someone who has hurt me in some way.

My old brain (the egotistic warrior) impulsively responds to the attack by unleashing a tirade of insults & threats.  This results in short-term relief & satisfies my ego’s need for revenge & retribution.  You can guess where that leads to, right?  It usually fails and results in an escalation of intimidation, anger and possibly violence.  Before resorting to this course of action and when I take the time to think things through, I find that my spiritual brain (for lack of a better term) leads me in another direction.  This part of my brain has paid the price over the years to learn valuable lessons.  It bears many scars from past interpersonal battles & confrontations.  These scars are reminders that I have moved forward to some degree.

Before confronting another person (who needs correction) prayer must always be implemented into the plan. Then, a mental rehearsal of what needs to be presented must be incorporated (a dress rehearsal of sorts).  Even with these tools, there is no guarantee your attempt to correct that individual is guaranteed. This Gospel takes us to the next level of intervention by bringing several others who recognize the need for reconciliation.  And finally, the last resort is for the community (the Church in this reading) to get involved

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Over the years, I have personally involved with staging alcohol interventions. The alcohol disordered person relies on complicated, cognitive mechanisms that are preventing them for getting sober.  Orchestrated correctly, these types of interventions can be quite successful by bringing family members, friends, employers & clergy into the  reconciliatory process.  After reflecting upon this scripture passage, it parallels the message of charitable correction & sincere apologetic reconciliation.

   

Can you recall a time when you were asked to intervene in someone’s life?  Or perhaps, were you the one approached and in need of correction?  The bottom line is that we can stand on either side of the equation.  Let us pray to the Holy Spirit that we can receive the graces to carry out  apologetic reconciliations in a gentle, charitable & loving manner, in the spirit of our Lord & Savior – Jesus Christ.  The Pilgrim.