Peacemaking!

Wednesday, August 14, 2024

Ez 9:1-7,10:18-22; Mt 18:15-20

Today’s Gospel helps us understand the heart of Jesus regarding peacemaking in the Christian community. 

The first precondition for making peace comes with the realization that the one with whom we should make peace is our brother or sister. It is good to note that Jesus does not say, ‘If someone sins against you…’ but instead says, ‘If your brother or sister sins against you…’ When we understand that it is with our brother or sister that we have disagreements, then we are obligated to make peace with them. 

Secondly, Jesus makes the process of peacemaking quite elaborate with three different steps, from one-to-one talk to having two or more witnesses to having the Church itself as the witness, just to ensure that the outcome will always be peace and reconciliation. Jesus truly believes that those who follow him will have achieved peace before exhausting these steps. 

In this regard, finally, Jesus makes peace and reconciliation an essential prerequisite to our spiritual life. What brings power to our prayer is our unity as disciples of Christ. In other words, we compel God’s blessings and make our prayers heard when we are united in the love of Jesus. Hearts united get prayers answered. 

Let us pray that, as Christians, we may always be united in the love of the Lord!

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar