Wednesday 12 August 2020

Today is Wednesday 12 August in the 19th week of Ordinary Time.  

The community of Taizé sing Da Pacem Cordium:  “Give peace to our hearts”.  As I listen, I might join in this prayer, asking the Lord for peace in my heart, asking God to help me still myself for a moment, so I can listen to his gentle voice, speaking to my heart.

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew.

Matthew 18:15-20

‘If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses.  If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax-collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.’

Jesus’ words about binding and loosing sound familiar.  He also speaks them when he appears to the Twelve in the Upper Room after his resurrection.  These words are often taken as having to do with priestly ministry, but here he seems to be speaking to any of his followers.  When it comes to being reconciled after a quarrel or about forgiving an injury, he seems to be giving all his followers the power to bind or loose.  What memories or experiences of reconciliation or conflict come to you when you ponder these words? What feelings are attached to them?  

Listening to one another is an important part of this reconciliation, especially within the context of a church community. But it’s often difficult to listen to an accusation, we might feel defensive. Yet this is how we may bind sins rather than loose them. Is anything binding you, such as a sin or a hurt, creating a difficult relationship with someone? Talk to God about this.

We listen again as the reading is repeated.  It finishes with a promise for the whole community of believers.  Jesus will be with us when we gather in his name and our Father in Heaven will respond when we pray together.  How do you respond to this?     

“If we loose or confess our sins here on earth, then they will be loosed in heaven.” This can be tough work, but Jesus also tells us that “Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” He promises to be with us as we meet together to speak. Talk to Jesus now, as one friend speaks to another about what you is staying with you from today’s reflection…

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.