living in the kingdom: real time

Ezekiel 33:7-9; Romans 13:8-10; Matthew 18:15-20

The phrase kingdom of God or kingdom of heaven comes up often in sacred scripture. JEsus mentions it quite a few times.
And we love to think about the kingdom, speak about the kingdom, and imagine what the kingdom will be like when it is all said and done.

But what fail to understand is that the kingdom of God isn't just what comes later or what is waiting for us around the corner. Rather, the kingdom of God is right now.

Every time we encounter Jesus speaking or acting or instructing in the gospels, He is letting us know what it looks like to be living in the kingdom here and now.

As we step the narrow gate and enter on the path of following Christ then the kingdom becomes active and unfold through us in our daily lives, in the way we speak, interact in our relationships, and how we live.

The kingdom isn't just what is coming tomorrow but it is what is happening right now as we live our life in faith.

In today's gospel, we catch a glimpse of what it looks like to live the kingdom and let it unfold through us.

Though today Jesus gives us a glimpse of that which we rather not deal with. JEsus invites us to fraternal correction. "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens you have won over your brother."

Think about that for a moment. First of all, notice Jesus assumes that there is an objective standard of right and wrong. There is behavior that is acceptable and there is behavior that requires and demands a reprimand.

Sin is real. It needs to be addressed. God has revealed to us ways of living with one another and these can not be altered. We do not have the right to determine what is sinful and not sinful. Rather we receive it as a gift, a privilege.

This certainly stares in the face of our society that tells us that right and wrong is subjective or personal. Society suggest that whatever works us is okay. But, this is not the standard of Christ. Somethings are no longer acceptable. IT is our job to recognize it, address it and face it. It is not our right to alter the truth. We must live it.

This is what the watchman of the first reading is all about. God tells Ezekiel that he is the watchman for Israel. His task is to speak out against sin and wickedness.

When is the last time we have spoken out when we have see or experienced sinfulness in our society? Usually, we probably just remain quiet and say nothing. We turn a blind eye.

And yet, we have failed to honor God and honor society by our silence and our society has slowly been eroded.

We must speak out. It is our duty.

Notice, in the gospel when we encounter sin in our life, we do not speak out in order to feel vindicated. IT is not about us. Rather, it is about "winning over our brother." This is the heart of the gospel.

IF we are to be instruments and vessels of redemption then we to must seek the good of the other. Christ does what he does for our sake not for his own. This is the pattern of life we must imitate. We must do for others regardless how it affects us. Only here do we truly experience the virtue of love. We do not seek ourself in love but we seek the good of others.

Again notice what the gospel doesn't say.

Jesus doesn't tell us that when we have been sinned against that we should call all our neighbors and tell them. Jesus does not invite us to gossip. We should not seek revenge or vindication. Rather, we should suck it up and face it head on, mano y mano.

We have to speak to those involved. We have to raise their awareness to the fact that somethings have to change. This is our task. We do so privately so as to guard their reputation and give them and opportunity to rise to the challenge of Christ.

If they do not listen, then Jesus tells us to bring back up, two or three people to testify to the facts.
This important. How often, when we have been hurt by another that all we can experience is the sting of the sin which can color our vision, so we need other sets of eyes to make sure we are seeing and acting clearly.

Then if this doesn't work then we let the church get involved. This is important. Not everyone has the same standard of living. Not everyone operates on the same level of charity. But ideally, those who belong to the church should be of the same heart and mind. They are united not because of their opinions on things but by the truth Christ reveals through his church.

Thus, we should get people to help who know what they talking about and who are faithful in living the reality themselves. This is the church, united around the successor of Peter and the apostles.

ANd if this doesn't work, then JEsus tells us to treat them as gentiles and tax collectors.

And how does JEsus treat tax collectors and gentiles? He treats them as those in need of work. He reaches out to them. THese are the ones who need prayer. Thus, we unite for one purpose in prayer, to bring back those who have strayed.

In doing so, the kingdom unfolds. Redemption is not about being successfull but rather being faithful to the truth and love Christ reveals. The course action laid out by Christ in the gospel aids us to allow the kingdom to come daily in and through our lives.

Fraternal correction is a mandate by Christ. We must speak up and speak out. We have been silent way to long. Our society needs for us to rediscover our backbone and finally take a stand and let the kingdom come in real time through us.