Brother's Keeper - Homily Reflection 23rd Sunday OTA

God asked Cain where his brother Able was; Cain answered “I know not; am I my brother's keeper?” We say the same thing even today - Am I my brother’s keeper?

Our answer is not necessary the one God asks of us.

From the gospel: If you see someone doing wrong, tell them. If they do not listen take one of two more with you and tell them. If they continue to do wrong bring it to the church.

Then God’s message by the prophet Ezekiel: If I tell the wicked, “O wicked one, you shall surely die,” and you do not speak out to dissuade the wicked from his way, the wicked shall die for his guilt, but I will hold you responsible for his death.

God says “we are our brother’s keeper?

In this world, that is a tremendous and formidable responsibility. Regrettably, many never take this task God has given us to heart. They balk at the thought of telling someone they are doing wrong and to give up sinful ways.

They the answer of Cain, “I know not; am I my brother's keeper?” or maybe their excuse is "I have enough just to keep myself from sin"

But friends, love call us to be our brothers' keepers.

We shall never overcome our own temptations to sin if we have no time to think of our neighbors' need.

The model of sin shared by us and others becomes the examples to the weak and young.  The lack of example impedes many non-Christians to the possible acceptance of the faith.

If Christians had lived these instructions of charity the prophet Ezekiel and Christ himself gave to us, maybe there would not have been great fractures in the Church that have caused so many in the world to lose faith in Christ and in God.,

Most of us will say, I don’t know where or how to do this.

Friends, if we are parents or godparents or grandparents or aunts or uncles, the first neighbors and fellow Christians we must correct are our children. Their salvation and our own depend on how well we do this.

Families obedient to Christ in this will have opportunities to share these acts of love and help to those outside the household.

Yet, those who are lax, who give little or no thought to getting to heaven or to their children getting there in God's good time, will hardly bother with their neighbor's salvation.

If we are to bring Christ to the world, then we must give the world Christ and that includes telling our neighbors to go and sin no more.

I’ve been lucky in my life with many concerned about my salvation; my brothers, parents, wife, friends, and even my children over the years have taken the time and love to tell me I was wrong. They told me I was on the wrong path. Some knew they were correcting me, most did not; we all need this type of love.

From experience, following Christ’s instructions are not easy. People become angry. People will not listen. They will tell you to mind your own business. It not only the person that errs, others in the community as well.

Today, many are lost. The world is looking for something.

Maybe they are looking for happiness, peace, and love but they are searching in things and experiences that are not love. They don’t know happiness, peace, and love Christ Jesus can bring. 

We are called to be our brother’s keeper. Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another; Love does no evil to neighbor;

Look around to see, Love is where the world fails. Yet, the greatest commandment is a call to be our brother’s keeper. “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

We truly love when Christ is in our midst.

Be good, be holy, and preach the gospel to your children, brothers, sisters, neighbors and the world, by the way you live your life and love one another. Amen.