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Reflection on this Sunday's scripture readings
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Ezekiel 33:7-9
Psalm 94
Romans 13:8-10
Matthew 18:15-20
Today's readings are concerned with responsibility for the community. In the first reading, the prophet Ezekiel is asked by God to watch over Israel and warn those who are turning away from God to renounce their sins and save their lives. If he fails to warn them he will be held responsible for their deaths. The task is urgent because the Babylonians are about to destroy the city of Jerusalem and then even the righteous still living there who did not go into exile will not escape death.
The gospel reading is taken from the section in Matthew where Peter and the future leaders of the community are given guidance on how to live until the kingdom comes. In this part Matthew portrays Jesus teaching how to discipline a member of the community. He outlines three stages of a trial, the first two based on different parts of rabbinic law, and ends with the drastic step of excommunication from the community. The disciple leaders are given the same powers of binding and loosing as Peter, entitling them to make definitive legal decisions on God's behalf.
Although responsibility is primarily given to our leaders, we are all responsible in some way for life of the community. This week let us be more aware of how our individual actions affect our relationships with others. Is there a relationship which needs to be put right? Paul says that love is the answer to all the commandments. It must be our guiding principle.