16 August, 2023 | Wednesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time

 Gospel Mt 18:15-20

Gospel Text

Jesus said to his disciples:

"If your brother sins against you,

go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.

If he listens to you, you have won over your brother.

If he does not listen,

take one or two others along with you,

so that every fact may be established

on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

If he refuses to listen to them, tell the Church.

If he refuses to listen even to the Church,

then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector.

Amen, I say to you,

whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven,

and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth

about anything for which they are to pray,

it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father.

For where two or three are gathered together in my name,

there am I in the midst of them."

Reflections:

The Gospel reading invites us to make our life free and fruitful by living a life of forgiveness and mercy. Jesus gives us ways and means to live life in reconciliation. We live constantly in relationship with others – in family, in our work places, in school and so on. There are conflicts bound to happen. What is important is to acknowledge one’s mistake and forgive the faults of others. Jesus warns us about holding grudges. If we hold on to the grudge, it will be a block to our spiritual growth and to live in harmony. But when we let go we become free and allow the grace of God to flow into our lives.

Activity:

 Forgive someone who has hurt you