Matthew 18,15-20

August 16, 2023 (Wednesday)
Let us all remember that we are in the Holy Presence of God.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Gospel Matthew 18,15-20
Jesus said to his disciples, “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.”

Reflection:
Each time we pray the Lord’s prayer we pray, “forgive us our trespass as we forgive those who trespass
against us.” The call to reconciliation is an ever present one in our lives. From experience, we know that
relationships for many reasons can break down from time to time. We tend to forget the promises we hear
from Jesus like the one in today’s Gospel, “for where two or three are gathered together in my name, there
am I in the midst of them.” We are called to community and it is in community we resolve differences. This
requires us to be truly willing to understand the other person. It requires a willingness to listen. Our
Founder reminds us, “Be warm-hearted to everyone, speaking to others in a gentle and respectful way.”
This day is also the feast of St Stephen of Hungry who established a system of payments to support
churches and pastors and to relieve the poor. (Br. Mark Mckeon, FSC)

Lasallian Guiding Principle:
LGP states that, the spirit of faith is a “spirit that allows one to judge and evaluate things in the light of the
gospel.” In order to build a healthy relationship within the community of brothers, St. John Baptist De La
Salle taught them to see Jesus in each person. The young pupils also learned to value each life for they
believe that Jesus is present. Lasallians are now challenged to build good communities by making God as
the center of every endeavors and plans. (Sofia S. Ferre and Neil Benter)

Prayer:
Synod on Synodality Prayer

We stand before You, Holy Spirit, as we gather together in Your name.
With You alone to guide us, Make Yourself at home in our hearts;
Teach us the way we must go and how we are to pursue it.
We are weak and sinful; do not let us promote disorder.
Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path nor partiality influence our actions.
Let us find in You our unity so that we may journey together to eternal life and not stray from the way of truth and what is right.
All this we ask of You, who are at work in every place and time, in the communion of the Father and the Son, forever and ever. Amen.

St. John Baptist de La Salle, pray for us.

St. Miguel Febres Cordero, pray for us.
Live Jesus in our hearts, forever!

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Sources:
C. (n.d.). Daily Gospel. Retrieved June 22, 2020, from https://dailygospel.org/M/AM/DLSU ITS, DLSU STRATCOM, DLSU IRPA. (n.d.). Guiding Principles of the Philippine Lasallian Family.
Retrieved June 22, 2020, from http://www.dlsu.edu.ph/inside/lasallian-guiding-principles/default.asp

Prepared by Pratik, Sati D., College of Humanities and Sciences- BS Biochemistry Student, through the DLSMHSI Lasallian Mission and Linkages and Advancement, Campus Ministry, and Chaplaincy

Our Daily Lasallian Gospel, Prayer and Reflection is a DLSMHSI gift to the Lasallian family for the 2019 Celebration of the Year of Vocation and the Tercentenary celebration of the death of our founder SJBDLS.

https://www.dlshsi.edu.ph/daily-lasallian-reflection-prayer #300LaSalle