A Message from Fr. Tom

            The prophet Ezekiel speaks of the Lord appointing watchmen for the community.  Watchmen are servants called by the Lord.  If a brother or sister falls into sin, and we know better, then we too are at fault and will be held accountable for their sin if we remain idle and do nothing.  Not an easy task.  This is a vocation that the prophet Ezekiel could identify.  He received his prophetical call during a time of great suffering for the nation of Israel.  The country was near total destruction and in exile in Babylon.  Before the eventual return to Israel can take place, the people have to reform their ways and undo the bad habits and idolatry that led them to almost total destruction.  

            The last few Sundays we have been exploring the fourth part of Matthew’s Gospel—known as the Book of the Community.  This section seeks to address questions regarding how the Christian community should come together.  The essence of this coming together is captured in Paul’s letter, “Love is the fulfillment of the Law.” The Gospel speaks of both Judgment and then Unity.  Perhaps it’s better to address the last step first.

            The principal of our unity is our Christian faith.  Jesus Christ is truly who he says he is—The Son of God.  From that faith confession flows the commitment to take seriously what Jesus and the Church says about faith and morals.  From this unity of faith—then—comes the critical dimension of faith.  This is our willingness to receive and give judgment.  The very mention of this word judgment is a provocation for us—and sadly—a deal breaker for many would-be Christians in our own day.  The Gospels make clear if we want friendship with Jesus—Salvation in His name—and relationship with the community that bears the name of Christ if we desire these we must be willing to accept judgment by the criteria of the Christian community as it is authentically received from Jesus.  

            What is the problem with this all too common attitude?  Judgment should not be the prelude to shame and isolation.  Judgment should be the precursor to entering into a deeper relationship with Jesus.  No one has friendship with Jesus in the Gospels unless they are willing to be judged by him.

Martha and Mary; “Mary has chosen the better part.”

Peter: “Get behind me Satan for you are thinking as men and not as God.”

The woman caught in adultery: “Sin no more.”

Therefore, judgment in the Gospels is not meant as a prelude to shame and exclusion but as catalyst for change and conversion.  Sadly, we as a community and as a church don’t live or receive judgment particularly well.  So often we experience judgment as a prelude to shame and condemnation.  Instead of self-justification, the Gospel of today is a summons to self-knowledge and self-criticism.

How May I Call Out My Wayward Brother or Sister?

            It is common in our day to feel scruples about calling out a wayward brother or sister (sic family member, co-worker) concerning some fault in their character or behavior.  With justification, we are concerned about being “judgmental” in a way that is false or hypocritical.

            First, we always recall the Franciscan axiom: Speak the truth in love.  No matter how hard it may be, we offer the critique with the paramount goal always being foremost in our minds.  That is: We love them and want to help them.  Indeed—in grave moral matters—we may well be saving their souls from damnation.  So, the heavy burden we bear today of “feeling one’s pain,” or the simple convenience of not saying anything hinders what should be integrated into the life of every Christian.  “Conscience doth make cowards of us all,” say Shakespeare in Hamlet.  So, what is the Christian criteria we may follow so to render a judgement upon someone with a good and clear conscience?  Following are the thoughts of “The Angelic Doctor” St. Thomas Aquinas:

Judgment is lawful in so far as it is an act of justice.  Now, what is justice?  Justice is giving to the other what is owed to them.  It follows that there are three conditions requisite for a sound judgment to be an act of justice:

First, that it proceed from the inclination of justice [That is to say you sincerely want the best of the other].

Secondly, that it come from one who is in authority.  [a parent, a teacher, a long-time trusted friend puts one in a position of standing.  Thus, authority is definitively conferred upon you by the depth and quality of your relationship].

Thirdly, that a judgment be pronounced according to the right ruling of prudence.  If any one of these be lacking, the judgment will be faulty and unlawful.  Prudence makes us correct a five year old differently than a 50 year old.  First, when it is contrary to the rectitude of justice and then it is called "perverted" or “unjust Secondly, when a [person] judges about matters wherein he has no authority, and this is called judgment "by usurpation": thirdly, when the reason lacks certainty as when—without any solid motive—one forms a judgment on something doubtful or hidden then it is called judgment by "suspicion" or "rash" judgment.