Memorial of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Priest and Martyr

Lectionary: 415

Amen, I say to you,
whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven,
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

The Gospel of Saint Matthew reflects, even at this early stage in our history, a lot of experience of trouble. It is not easy to be Church. People join the movement with enthusiasm and sincerity; they eagerly study its doctrines, rites and traditions; and yet they disagree violently and quarrel viciously. Worse, if that is possible, they betray their own avowed principles and deny they are doing so.

This commotion cannot be ignored. It is painful, scandalous and discouraging. The leaders of the Church must act. In this 18^th chapter Saint Matthew outlines an effective approach to internal problems. They should be addressed first by the individuals who see them.  If that fails, a small group of concerned persons should intervene. If the disruptive person will not listen to them the whole church should challenge him. Finally, in the last resort, he should be excommunicated. But, hopefully, it doesn’t go that far.

What most astonishes our anti-religion age is Jesus’ declaration, “Whatever you bind / whatever you loose…” The Church does have authority over its membership, and that authority is both in heaven and on earth! Lots of people tell me they are Christians though they attend no church. That may be so, but you won’t find that teaching in the Bible. The membership roll in heaven matches the one on earth.

Since the Second Vatican Council the Church has begun to recognize that not everyone is Christian. More, not everyone wants to be or should be Christian. If many are called and few are chosen, some are not even called. Put more correctly, we recognize that religion is both personal and cultural, that the human being is always enmeshed in her culture. One who has been raised in a Hindhu or Muslim religion and has never heard the Gospel effectively announced is surely called to practice her religion truly and sincerely. She will be judged on that basis.

But -- to return to my original thought -- the Church must strive to lead our members through the narrow gate. That gives her some authority -- hopefully the authority of love -- and even the right to discipline her membership. That is most obvious among the clergy; we have sworn to obey our bishops and religious leaders. But it also applies among the laity who owe their clergy a certain deference. It's not an absolute deference, of course; but it's real.

Scott  Hahn has described the liturgy as a portal into heaven. As we attend Mass we have one foot already in heaven. The Our Father also speaks of heaven: thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. As citizens of heaven we understand that whatever is bound on earth is bound in heaven; and whatever is loosed on earth is loosed in heaven. Our names are inscribed in the heavenly roll so long as we remain within this earthly communion.