GOSPEL POWER l AUGUST 11, 2021

19th Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel: Mt 18:15-20  

Jesus said, 15“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. 16But 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. 17If 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. 18Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on  earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will  be loosed in heaven. 19Again, 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. 20For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am  there among them.”

Today’s Gospel attests that we are being sanctified and saved  not as isolated individuals, but in our connectedness  with one another. The context for living our faith is the  community, where we help one another to respond to God’s call. The  word “church” in Greek — ekklesia — refers to those who are “called  out” and “assembled.” The Lord Jesus’ presence is promised to those  who connect with one another and gather together in his name, and  the efficacy of their united prayer is assured. Stewardship of one  another is carried out through fraternal correction, which is an act of  mutual charity. Our connectedness reflects, no matter how dimly, the  inner life of God, which is perfect communion of three divine persons. Lord, help us to understand that being “Church” means being connected  with the other believers and responding to your call as a community. Amen