“If your brother sins against you,
Matthew 18:15
go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.”
Reflection
Jesus tells his disciples that if someone sins against them, they should strive to resolve the situation on their own. If the person does not listen, then take it to more witnesses, and finally the Church. Whatever the disciples bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and if two of them agree to pray about something, it will be granted by the heavenly Father.
If someone sins against us, Jesus urges us to approach the person directly. In this way, the problem and sin can be dealt with in a private, and hopefully reasonable, manner. However, oftentimes, instead of going to the person, we gossip about the wrong done to us. It is easy to go and complain about how our spouse, friend, or coworker has wronged us.
This can cause further anger and enmity between the two parties, especially if you become more angry than necessary. The tendency to gossip or complain is a common one, but something we can easily work on. Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance and courage to directly face the one who sinned against you and practice forgiveness. In this way, we grow in virtue and holiness, and love of the other person as well.
Saint of the Day
St. Jane Frances de Chantal: 1572 – 1641
| “When all else has forsaken us, it is then that we are least forsaken by God.” St. Jane Frances de Chantal |
The Healing Word 