Leave-taking of the Feast of the Entrance of the Most Holy Mother of God into the Temple; Our Holy Father and Priest-Martyr Clement, Pope of Rome (101); Peter, Bishop of Alexandria (312)
Nativity Fast. Abstention from meat and foods that contain meat.
2 Thessalonians 3:6-18; Luke 13:31-35
Read 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
The radical inclusivity of Christ sometimes seems to be in stark contrast to the practices of Christ’s followers who are instructed by Paul to “withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us” (2 Thess. 3:6). However, note that the person being withdrawn from is still called a “brother.” Even in later verses of today’s reading Paul instructs: “And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother” (2 Thess. 3:14-15). The person receiving correction does not lose his brotherhood. In baptism we become brothers and sisters in Christ, and we never lose this bond. Even if a baptized Catholic apostatizes and joins a different religion, when that person becomes Catholic again, he or she does not “rejoin” the Church through baptism but merely is received back through the Mystery of Confession. Just like the Prodigal Son never lost his sonship, so too are the baptized always adopted children of God the Father.
There are other passages in Scripture that caution us on whose company to keep. For example, Proverbs 12:26 says: “The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray.” Romans 16:17 says: “Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.” 1 Corinthians 5:11 says: “But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person.” 2 John 1:10 says: “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him.” Titus 3:10-11 says: “Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.”
We must remember Christ’s parable of the Good Samaritan. The true neighbour to the victim of robbery was the Samaritan who treated him with compassion and mercy. The Samaritans and Jews disagreed with each other, but that does not exclude anyone from following Jesus’ commands to love God first and then love our neighbour as ourselves. Being “loving” as Christians cannot ever mean to approve of sinful behaviours or deviations from true belief. If we truly love one another, we will encourage and admonish one another in pursuit of holiness. We need to be wise. In our pursuit to live holy lives and get rid of own sinful behaviours, we cannot simultaneously encourage others to sin or put ourselves in situations where we will be encouraged to sin. Our faith is indeed inclusive, catholic, and open to all, but it needs to be received unblemished.