The Word Of Peace
Homiletic Reflections On Peacemaking

Deacon Robert M. Pallotti

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

In the year 1986 Elie Weisel was awarded the Gold Medal of Freedom by the United States. Weisel is a Jewish survivor of the Auschwitz death camp, Prof. of Lit. at Boston University, and renown author and lecturer. His book, Night was a standard text I requested adults to read whenever I taught a Christology course. This book is important in helping to come to sense of understanding of the crucifixion of Jesus.

Weisel was awarded this medal by President Reagan. The President opened with the words of congratulations and praise, and then presented the award to Weisel. After receiving the award Weisel took the podium. In front of newscameras and reporters he stated, " Mr.President on behalf of all the victims of the Holocaust, I beg you, do not go to Bitburg." It was an uncomfortable moment for the President. He was to go to Bitburg cemetery in Germany with Helmut Kohl, the chancellor of West Germany, to emphasize U.S./German reconciliation.

Wesiel did what was so typical of the Hebrew prophets, JBap and Jesus --he confronted the powers that Be, face to face. That is what we hear is essential to love and faith ! Yet, confrontation is not easy. It would be easier to pretend all is well, to shut up and bear the unbearable no matter how destructive. But the Lord tells us, if we have a grievance with someone , go to them, and try to work it out! In any attempt to build community this is essential. Honest , face to face confrontation clarifies needs, explains behavior and builds a level of trust between parties. In essence we know where we stand!  Confrontation can also be conflictual, but even that can lead parties to a deeper communion if handled without defensiveness.

All Confrontation is about saving a relationship. We hear this from Ezk. and Paul. It is meant to save a relationships among people, nations, churches and the whole global village. It is also an acknowledgment that we are all responsible for each other!

There are times when the Church must be confrontational and deal with confrontation within its walls. Whenever or whatever threatens, maims or destroys human life and pillages the planet the Church is called to confront such things with the Gospel message of love. This love is for the individual and for society. The Church's social love or concern for justice and peace manifests itself in making the concrete demands of the Gospel meets the issues of the day. The issues of racism, sexism, poverty, economic justice, welfare reform, abortion, nuclear proliferation are all issues summoning the Church to prophetic confrontation--to confront the powers face to face. Its failure or unwillingness to do so is to render void its liturgical celebration!

It will not be pleasant and it may be dangerous, there is a cost, but it is required of the Church , all its members, by the Lord. To not confront such things is to be complicit by silence !

There are those members of the Church that need to be confronted at times, especially those in leadership. Any member of the Church in leadership roles is to imitate Christ in a lifestyle of service, compassion, honesty and truth. When this is not done, then confrontation is in order. Confronting anyone for doing things that are destructive of themselves or others is not judging them. In is necessary to confront to help them get back their lives or relationships. To not confront when we need to is to undermine real community. Real community is not so much everyone being nice to each other, but being honest and loving toward one another--committed to the well-being of the other. It can say " I love you ", as much or more than a kiss, a hug, a card or whatever ! It says I love you because I care about you--so much so that I'm willing to struggle with you to work this out. In doing this a sense of value is conferred on the other person because they are made the feel they were worth the trouble.

Weisel's confrontation with the President was concerned with the number of former SS buried at Bitburg. He wanted to make sure that the SS was not rehabilitated, or seen as other soldiers. He also wanted to make clear that we cannot reconcile for others. The parties involved must do it themselves if real community is to emerge.

For the Church , when in the spirit of Jesus, it confronts the issues of the day it must do so in imitation of Jesus. It is called to tell the truth it has been given, to accept the struggle and the cost. In as much as that is done then Jesus' is truly present as the one's who confronts to heal and build real community.

Deacon Robert M. Pallotti, D. Min.
Uploaded January 14, 2000