Wednesday of the 19th week in ordinary time year A
Deut. 34:1-12 Mat. 18:15-20
Theme: An invitation to reconciliation
In the gospel reading of today from St. Mathew, Jesus presents to us a guide for reconciliation. In it he emphasis the need for us to let go and forgive one another, using a means that will not humiliate anyone in the process. It is a process that requires patience and humility if the parties involved are truly disposed to be reconciled. This reconciliation is necessary because it gives us the opportunity to be worthy instrument in the hand of God, and true ambassadors for Christ. When we are at peace with God and ourselves, then we will call on God and he will answer us, in times of our difficulties and challenges of life.
This is because as children of God he has given us the power to call upon him and he will answer us. But our prayer will be more effective and powerful when we are at peace with God. That is why we must avail ourselves of the sacrament of reconciliation whenever we have a need for it. As Catholics we are privileged people to have the sacrament of reconciliation, that gives us the opportunity to right the wrongs in our life and resolve to make honest effort not to repeat that sin again. However, the sacrament of reconciliation must never be taken for granted at any point in time in our lives. Remember, we serve a loving and merciful God, but he is also a God of justice.
Also, in the gospel reading, Jesus also talks about the power of the prayer of agreement, between two or more people. A prayer that is said by two or more people can be very powerful and effective. Jesus reiterates this in today’s gospel when he said that where two or three are gathered in my name, I am in their midst; if God is with us, who can be against us?
In the 1st reading of today we are told about the death of Moses, He died after God showed him the promised land, though he did not enter it. This simply shows that whatever has a beginning will surely have an end. This marked the end of Moses, and as a good leader, he already prepared Joshua to take up the leadership role after his demise. May God grant us this type of positive disposition in our lives, in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit. Amen. Peace be with you.