Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Intention: For God’s strength and protection for all who care for the world’s persecuted and dispossessed people, that their work may bear the fruits of comfort, peace, and justice.
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 Sixth Meditation for the Time of Retreat | Saint John Baptist de La Salle
In imitation of the great Apostle, you must encourage them to live in a manner worthy of God, because God has called them to his kingdom and his glory.
Your zeal must go so far in this that to achieve it, you are ready to give your very life, so dear to you are the children entrusted to you.
Prayer
Eternal Father, your Son taught that it is not possible for us to serve you if we are always caught up in our own ambitions. Your Kingdom requires our faithful attention and greatest commitment. Fill us with the grace that we need to be constant disciples, always looking to do your will. Help us to let go of whatever keeps us from you, and guide us on the path of humility and service. We ask this of you who lives and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.