16 August 2023 - Only By Grace Reflections
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TOPIC: IS LOVE A PART OF THE WAY YOU RESOLVE DISPUTES IN COMMUNITY?
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First Reading: Deuteronomy 34: 1-12
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 66: 1-3a, 5 and 8, 16-17
Alleluia: Second Corinthians 5: 19
Gospel: Matthew 18: 15-20
In the Gospel reading for today, the presence of Jesus among any number of people in a community of believers is highlighted in His words. In loving and challenging an offending member and in gathering together in His name, the Lord is ever present. One of the most inspiring words in the Gospel was 'Emmanuel'; God is with us. Applied to Jesus, it means that this promised blessing of God being with His people spreads to all who will believe in Him in the entire world.
But what should the community of believers do if someone does fall into sin? Jesus is telling us that we are keepers of our sisters and brothers. We have a responsibility towards our family and community of restoring people to the love of God and to the communal life of His family. May we act with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience toward one another, living in unity with each other under God. May we lay down our swords, set aside our grievances, and forgive each other as God forgave us.
This is the 1209th installment of our CFC contemplation series focusing on the daily liturgical readings.
[NOTE: As we continue to pray for Bro Bong Arjonillo’s healing and recovery, let us listen to our brother Raymond Bucu, Head of CFC Gateway Evangelization, as he brings us today's reflection.
All the regular reflections are between 3-7 minutes long, enough time for us to ponder what God's message is for us individually and to pray that we may live them out in our lives. This video is also available on Couples for Christ’s Facebook page. In You Tube, just type ONLY BY GRACE REFLECTIONS]
