In the midst of the reconciled: the change of course and destiny in the Kingdom
(Mt 18:15-20)
«The word that the Evangelist uses for "agree" is synphōnēsōsin: there is reference made to a "symphony" of hearts» [Pope Benedict].
This new malleable energy has a mysterious grip on the heart of reality - which is always stronger than we are; it unfolds the plot and proposes, but here, conversely, it welcomes us.
Or it disturbs us with discomfort... which, however, is already therapy. Because every tear leads to the deep layers of our primordial being, our seed and its own world of relationships.
And then the soul loosens up, becomes less tortuous, follows a direction it was not thinking of; it finds the intoxicating road of deep attunements, abandons the shoddy path.
It prefers the Way that corresponds to person, more than the identifications: all the idols that previously held sway, which - despite appearances - struggled with our essential destination.
And without running away from ourselves, but only from external conventions, 'together' we can move from one-sidedness to wholeness, from banality to fullness; to the reason why we are in the world; to the destiny of being that we are.
Perhaps we could not perceive it before, because the eye was bouncing between the walls of the usual domestications.
And the ephemeral, addictive thought did not destroy the idea [without perception] of ourselves; an idea without listening, which did not vanish.
Fraternal correction tugs at our throats, but it is that bitterness that brings back the essentials; it is that anxiety (if accepted) that truly heals us.
Mt suggests dialogue, which attempts to understand the motives of the other.
Indeed, in the early Judeo-Christian realities, the climate was perhaps overly scrupulous.
Thus detachment from the community was also foreseen, but there remained the knowledge that the sinner was not a divided from God, even 'outside' the particular church: «Where are two or three gathered in my Name» (v.20).
It is the centre of the new pedagogical concept - no longer “religious” and mass, but of living and personal Faith.
The expression «in my Name» indicates that Jesus himself had his hands full with the judges of his time.
All real. Even an exclusion can unite us to Him and bring Him to life concretely.
If the true - not vague - Christ remains the pivot of the fraternity, the Father will grant the return of the excluded brother.
Obviously, this can only happen if the excluded person experiences that community leaders first, seek human confrontation - following the same position as the Master: «in the midst».
Equidistant from all people, and every now and then with a turnover of tasks.
Those who still make us see Jesus alive today do not stand “above” others; they do not take the lead, nor do they place themselves “in front” [so that some are close and others always far away].
People among people. We are called to rediscover the weld between honour to God and love for our sisters and brothers.
Love calls for love, forgiveness spontaneously attracts forgiveness - not out of effort, not out of good manners or duty, but as a channel for to enter the world new preparatory energies, and twists.
Fragrant sign of the Church is the reversal of roles and courses.
[Wednesday 19th wk. in O.T. August 14, 2024]
