Ezekiel 33.7-9 ・Ps. 95. 1+2, 5+6, 7+8 ・Romans 13.8-10 ・Matthew 18.15-20
It is not just our readings (passages from the bible) today but also our daily readings (act of reading) of the Holy Bible (written by men, inspired by the Holy Spirit) that encourage us to a change of heart. In many and different contexts and settings of Bible passages, we are drawn to conversion of heart. Since the central theme of our liturgy today talks about each one`s sense of belonging to the Church as community of brothers and sisters, we are all invited to examine our hearts as to how far we have dedicated ourselves to reaching-out to other believers, to promoting community accountability, and to supporting each and everyone`s spiritual journey (relationship with God). So today, we are so personally invited to revisit our understanding on how is it to become a member of a Church as community of brothers and sisters.
Some specific matters to our theme today on conversion of heart may include some very objective elements of having a united, loving and forgiving community. It means that we must constantly long for a community and family where humility, sharing, forgiveness, and true peace exist
The Church (the community of men and women in pilgrimage) in this modern world, has a vocation to pray more, and further reach out to people, to people `out there’ of more than the number of mass goers of just around 60 or 70 we meet every Sunday. So we envision of a church freed from discrimination and different forms of pride, hoarding, hate and indifference, and fake peace-making (fake greeting). These are all the sins and evils that constantly reject true Christian values and authentic Church life. Let us engage with full courage to examine our hearts, admit our sins and wrongdoings which most likely you and God alone, me and God alone, know. So from here, when it happens, we can proceed gracefully to further restoration of a truly harmonious relationship with each other, of a community working in unity, & of a truly loving community,
Indeed we, the Church, the community of sisters and brothers, still have plenty of works to be done in God`s vineyard. We still have plenty of work about trying to bring back our loved ones to faith (to “faith-ing”). Let us all be accountable! We may need extra effort and enough time to make amends. We continue to trust that every child of God, no matter how he or she has, & you and I have, become so scattered and has/have been in long estrangement from God, will find a just enough space for conversion, in God`s time, as we often say.
The sins and evils that seem to co-exist with true Christian values may be strong so that we sometimes experience discouragement & hopelessness. However, the presence and power of the Divine among us are stronger & make our community always so blessed.