The 16th Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 18A), Sept. 4, 2005

BCP: Ezek. 33:(1-6)7-11; Psalm 119:33-48 or 119:33-40; Rom. 12:9-21; Matt. 18:15-20

RCL: Exodus 12:1-14; Psalm 149, or Ezek. 33:7-11, Psalm 119:33-40; Rom. 13:8-14; Matt. 18:15-20

That’s what this week’s gospel is all about — how to deal with members of the church whose behavior demands discipline. The intent is clearly to restore the member to a holy life. But if the person is unwilling to amend his or her life, then the Lord gives procedural guidelines for discipline. That discipline could mean dismissal from the life of the church, or excommunication.

Of course, this is just not done these days. This is a non-starter in the atmosphere we have opted for. Affirmation trumps negative feedback, moral pluralism eliminates all boundaries, acceptance is never challenged, and self-esteem remains sacrosanct. A full and proper procedure would include such self-examination of ourselves that we are brought face to face with our own insecurities and fears which have made us intolerant of this particular aberration.

That’s not the line our Lord asks us to take. The underlying premises must be clear: There is sin (Matt. 18:15); we seek the restoration of the offender (v. 15); we treat the offender with great respect (v. 16); we seek to break through his or her hardness of heart (v. 15); the church has the authority as well as the mandate to pursue this discipline (v. 18); and the action of the church will be reflected in heaven (v. 19). Jesus gives the final blessing to this procedure by his appropriation of the Deuteronomic formula for excommunication (v. 20).

The intent of discipline must be clear. It is to “overcome evil” (Rom. 12:21), to “hate what is evil and to hold fast to what is good” (12:9), to “regain a member who has sinned” (Matt. 18:15), to pull the member back from spiritual death (Ezek. 33:7, 11).

If we fail to exercise church discipline, what are we demonstrating? More than loss of nerve, more than unwillingness to embarrass a fellow parishioner, the Lord describes stakes that are much higher. We afford the opportunity for repentance, forgiveness and restoration of a sinner; we show ourselves faithful as sentinels for righteousness in the household of faith; we affirm the nature of evil; we give credibility to the holiness of the Almighty who holds the right for vengeance; we demonstrate the depths of true love for sinners; we give a warning to the world (Ezek. 33:8).

Not the most popular activity in the church’s life, but probably the most beneficial for us all if we take it as seriously as the Lord does.

Look It Up

Where do we find instances of the Lord’s firm discipline, and what are the results in the person disciplined and in the church’s life?

Think About It

What feelings and reasonings prevent us from procedures of excommunication and discipline?

Next Sunday

The 17th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 19A), Sept. 11, 2005

BCP: Ecclus. 27:30-28:7; Psalm 103 or 103:8-13; Rom. 14:5-12; Matt. 18:21-35

RCL: Exodus 14:19-31; Psalm 114 or Exodus 15:1b-11, 20-21; or Gen. 50:15-21; Psalm 103:(1-7), 8-13; Rom. 14:1-12; Matt. 18:21-35