Greetings on this the Wednesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Dt 34:1-12; Ps 66:1-3a, 5 and 8, 16-17; Mt 18:15-20
Notes: In our gospel portion today we have the growth pathway for Christians to follow.
Many treat this gospel portion as a juridical process and that is true to a point, the lesser point. This gospel portion is fully understood in the intentions of the ‘two or three’ by way of mercy and kindness, the greater point.
Jesus carefully takes us through the steps.
- If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.
- 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.
Then he ‘flips the script.’
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.”
Disagreement to unity by way of prayer. Healing and freedom by two or more gathered in prayer with the healing purpose in mind.
Whomever you bind – that is, as in binding a wound to heal, is healed in heaven.
Whomever you loose – that is, as in freeing from addiction or oppression, is freed in heaven.
What is the purpose of being ‘gathered together in my name?’
Choose the superior purpose:
- Crime and punishment?
- Justice and Mercy?
In our first reading, Moses had died and was buried and the people mourned for 30 days.
The LORD rose up Joshua to be his successor (Moses laid his hands upon him).
Now Joshua, son of Nun, was filled with the spirit of wisdom, since Moses had laid his hands upon him; and so the children of Israel gave him their obedience, thus carrying out the LORD’s command to Moses
So too we shall listen to the Church.
Listen to the superior and the greater purpose.
Justice and Mercy.
First Reading
So there, in the land of Moab, Moses, the servant of the LORD, died as the LORD had said; and he was buried in the ravine opposite Beth-peor in the land of Moab, but to this day no one knows the place of his burial. Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died, yet his eyes were undimmed and his vigor unabated. For thirty days the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab, till they had completed the period of grief and mourning for Moses.
Now Joshua, son of Nun, was filled with the spirit of wisdom, since Moses had laid his hands upon him; and so the children of Israel gave him their obedience, thus carrying out the LORD’s command to Moses.
Responsorial
Blessed be God who filled my soul with fire!
Gospel Acclamation
God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, And entreating to us the message of reconciliation.
Gospel
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.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry