Wednesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Intention: For God’s blessing on our Lasallian educators, students, and families as they work to meet the challenges of starting this new and different school year.
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 Third Meditation for the Time of Retreat | Saint John Baptist de La Salle
Because you are ambassadors and ministers of Jesus Christ in the work that you do, you must act as representing Jesus Christ. He wants your disciples to see him in you and to receive your instructions as if he were instructing them. They must be convinced that your instructions are the truth of Jesus Christ, who speaks with your mouth, that it is only in his name that you teach, and that he has given you authority over them.
They must also be convinced that they are a letter that Jesus Christ dictates to you, which you write each day in their heart, not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, who acts in you and by you through the power of Jesus Christ. He helps you triumph over all the obstacles that oppose the salvation of these children, enlightening them in the person of Jesus Christ to make them avoid all that could be displeasing to him.
Prayer
Eternal Father, Jesus prayed that we would bring his healing and peace to others. Send your Spirit to teach us how to be faithful disciples. 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. May we break down the walls that separate us and live together as one people in you. We ask this of you who lives and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.