I am There – Reflection on Matthew 18:15-20
At least one person involved in a relationship must have unconditional love, the ability to forgive, and be honest to consider recovering from a damaged relationship. Our desire for restoration must include hope for each other’s wholeness and mending of the harm. Otherwise, the wound remains in the other person(s) and within us. We should only give up on further conversation when we exhaust the possibility for civility in dialog. Unfortunately, you may have a situation when someone in your life cannot understand their emotions, misunderstandings, or what forgiveness brings. You are not alone, as many live with the sorrow of having only a thread of possibility of Jesus’s “I am there” for a relationship to become whole. The Christian values of forgiveness, love, hope, and prayer may be all that can be done.
Jesus Discourses with His Disciples by James Tissot.
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Matthew 18:15-20 – Scripture*
Reproving Another Who Sins
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. 16 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. 17 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. 18 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. 19 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. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Matthew 18:15-20 Refection – I am There.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative prayer style, others might appreciate these types of expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities experience your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions.
Attributions
*This site has permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible Matthew 18 passage.
The Immersive Prayer website follows the guidelines for image web use at the Brooklyn Museum and the Jewish Museum websites.
Primary Lectio Divina word or phrase: I am there
Page and discussion group on these Lectio Divina daily Gospel Readings.
Discussion group on St. John of the Cross.