Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray,
it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father.
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."
This promise of Jesus about prayer follows his stern teaching about church discipline. By the time of Saint Matthew's gospel, the Church had suffered many disturbing troubles in the congregation. Those who once thought a simple belief in Jesus would effect an immediate and irreversible transformation of a pagan hedonist into a god-fearing saint had been disabused of that naivete long ago.
Many devoutly believed they knew the Lord; they were absolutely convinced their hearts had been transformed from stone to flesh. But these very saints left a trail of tears behind them as they harassed, exploited and abused their fellow Christians.
How do we deal with these insufferable members? How do we repair the damage they inflict upon the vulnerable? The Gospel offers a method which requires enormous courage from individual Christians and the Church as a whole. One person may see the problem clearly; the scales have fallen from their eyes; but how do they persuade others to address the problem without stepping into the slime of gossip, backbiting, and treachery?
The troublesome members will use every subterfuge to avoid the judgement of the church. They will accuse their enemies of hypocrisy, reminding them of past sins, recalling past favors, and recruiting witless allies for their cause. Most of the church will only want to avoid trouble; they will deny the problem, minimize it, and counsel greater patience. If they ever see the full dimensions of the horror, that realization will come only in retrospect, long afterward. When the damage is, to all appearances, irreversible.
Novelist John Boyle tells a harrowing story of the priest pedophilia scandal in his book, A History of Loneliness. Though its setting is Ireland, the story is universal. The sin is willful ignorance.
Jesus' admonition to ask for anything on earth follows his teaching about church correction. When the community has effectively dealt with its own corruption, it will enjoy an unimaginable presence of the Holy Spirit. Like the Blessed Mother who responded, I am the handmaid of the Lord, that Church will be in complete conformity with the Mind of God. Whatever they ask will be granted to them by my heavenly Father.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.