The scriptures for the last few weeks have been very short but powerful and continuous like an afternoon soap opera. You need to follow the connections.

Jesus drew from Peter a confession of faith, asking: "Who do you say that I am?" Not they, you. Then Jesus continued explaining what it means to step out in faith and trust; to be ridiculed, rejected, even persecuted or put down.

Very naturally, very humanly, Peter's initial response was one of rejection and rebellion based in fear. But perfect love overcomes all fear.

Paul sets the tone today: Owe to no one anything, except to love one another. Jesus on another occasion said it likewise: By your love for one another shall they know that you are my disciples.

In the gospel and first reading, it is made perfectly clear that we must correct the brother or the sister who has wandered. God tells us through Ezekiel that if we fail to carry out this responsibility, then God will hold us responsible. We jeopardize our own salvation, for by failing to show loving but firm correction, we become accomplices in sin. (Certainly this point was driven home, loud and clear, to the Cardinals and Bishops earlier this year).

As members of the church, laity as well as cleric, we are responsible for one another and to one another. We are our brothers and sisters keepers. The gospel even gives us the blueprint and the mandate for how we are to achieve this correction lovingly.

First, go to the person who has acted apart from love and with your own love and compassion point out the fault, keeping it between the two of you. If you are unable to do this together privately, then take an arbiter, a third party, and if that fails to bring satisfaction, then take it to the ministry of the church.

Is this our usual approach in dealing with those who rub us the wrong way? Or do we follow the custom of society but making everything by gossip, media, or the courts.

Imagine a world, city, neighborhood, parish, even family in which the gospel model of acceptance and love and respect was the order of the day -- the model that is so different that those who use it stand out in recognition as being disciples of the Lord -- so different.

So idealistic -- for wimps, perhaps -- suffering and persecution that comes with living the Christian gospel is hardly wimpy.

It may seem pure fantasy, unreal; but if we are truly committed to living Christianity as a viable life style; as a viable alternative to what we have now; as the viable road to salvation; then isn't it worth at least giving it a try.

We cannot excuse ourselves saying: I don't want to discuss religion or politics because it stirs up trouble and division. Jesus says it divides families like a sword but it doesn't have to when it is done with love.

Tough love does not require us to be tough on the other person but on ourselves. How often have you as parents said or at least thought: This will hurt me more than it will hurt you. Tough love demands the responsibility of caring, reaching out and honoring the decency and dignity, however tarnished, in every human being.

Correction based on this model of Christian love is not judgmental -- is not self righteous -- but Christ-righteous