Wednesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Intention: For God’s blessing on all Lasallian educators, students, and ministries as a new school year begins.
Today’s Gospel | Matthew 18:15-20
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.”
From the Tenth Meditation for the Time of Retreat | Saint John Baptist de La Salle
If you have zeal for the children for whom you are responsible and have committed yourselves to keep them from sin, which is your duty, you must take on this spirit of the Prophet Elias when they fall into some fault. Driven by this same holy ardor that roused this Prophet, you must say to your disciples, I am so zealous for the glory of my God that I cannot see you renounce the covenant you made with him in Baptism and the dignity of children of God, which you received in that sacrament.
Often urge your disciples to avoid sin with as much speed as they would flee the presence of a snake. Let your first attention be given especially to inspire them with a horror for impurity, lack of reverence in church and at prayer, stealing, lying, disobedience, lack of respect for their parents, and other faults in regard to their companions. Help them understand that those who fall into these kinds of sins will not possess the kingdom of heaven.
Prayer
Eternal Father, Jesus prayed that we would come together and be his Church. Send us the Holy Spirit to teach us how to be his body on earth. Make of us the community that builds the Kingdom of God. In the midst of separation, let us work for reconciliation. In the midst of turbulence, let us work for peace. In the midst of selfishness, let us speak for justice. Break down the walls which separate and unite us with your bonds of love.
Make us worthy to claim that we are your children and you are our God. We ask this of you who lives and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.