Reflections on Scripture | Wednesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Join Msgr. Don Fischer as he reads and delivers a short reflection on today’s gospel, followed by 3 1/2 minutes of contemplative music and a closing prayer. Msgr. Don hopes that today’s reflection on the gospel will empower you to carry the Word in your heart throughout the day.

Choose either the video or audio below.

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."

Reflection

In this gospel, Jesus makes clear that what He's created is not isolated individuals filled with wonder and grace, but communities. And when we live in a community, we have to be filled with an understanding that we are growing together. Seeking the truth together.

And Jesus makes clear something that's really hard for us to grasp. He's saying whenever two of you or more are gathered together and pray, I will answer that prayer. And what you have to understand is the way Jesus understands us as part of the process of bringing about His kingdom. When our will is in tune with His will, and our intention is same as his intention.

We know that God will achieve that for us. The key is the Union of Intention. So many times we pray for things that we want and maybe they're not the best thing. How many times have you heard someone say, The thing I hated the most in my life is the thing I needed most? We often pray for those things not to happen. To pray for God's will, for yours to be attuned to His is the key to having our prayers answered.

Closing Prayer

Father, you have lifted us up and given us great dignity of participating with you and saving the world, changing hearts. Keep us in tune with that authority that you've shared with us and give us the courage and the insight to know what to pray for and what to seek from you. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Kyle Cross