Daily Gospel Reflection for August 16, 2023

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: Matthew 18:15-20

Today's Gospel seems a little disjointed to me. It talks about three things: fraternal correction, the authority of Christ's apostles (today, our priests), and the power of unified prayer. Each of these themes is worthy of a discourse, and I'm sure there are many.

However, if I pull back from them and look at Christ's teaching here with an eye for community, then I see a little more clearly that Jesus is giving his apostles examples of what the Church should look like.

We should be caring about each other's salvation, unafraid of fraternal correction done in a loving and compassionate way that takes into consideration the dignity of the offender.

We should recognize the authority of the Church as coming from God and that the apostles (again, our priests) do have authority on Earth and are recognized in heaven, to lead us.

And finally, that there is power and grace when we come together in prayer. The Church is community. Communal. Communion.

Rather than disjointed, I now recognize these parts coming together as the whole: the Church. We are not meant to be alone, but living our faith with our brothers and sisters.

Ponder:

Are you embracing the communal opportunities in your parish church?

Pray:

Lord, help me to grow in relationship with my brothers and sisters in faith, that we may all grow in relationship with You.

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We are not meant to be alone, but living our faith with our brothers and sisters. #DailyGospel

Copyright 2023 Maria Morera Johnson