The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Wednesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Stephen of Hungary

Readings from the Liturgy of the Word:
Ezekiel 9:1-7; 10:18-22
Psalm 113:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
Matthew 18:15-20

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Much of Jesus’ message was about reconciliation. He spoke of His people reconciling with the Father and as we find in today’s gospel He spoke in detail of reconciliation between individuals.

Jesus presents a highly detailed, step by step method of reconciliation between two people. The amount of time He spent on this and the detail He gives, should give us a clear indication of how important our Lord thinks this is. Conflicts between two people need to be resolved immediately, even if it means bringing in others. And if it cannot be resolved, then it needs to be put away and be done with.

Our constant dedication should be to our Lord and God. When we are in conflict with one another we find it hard to concentrate on much else and this creates a barrier between the Father and us. Jesus knows this and thus His detailed instructions to us.

- Don Claunch, SFO
(dlclaunch at bresnan dot net)