“If he listens to you, you have won over your brother.” – Matthew 18:15

         “You can always count on me to be the thorn on your side who gives you a reality check instead of telling you what you want to hear.” I definitely can relate to this poster message. I have been branded countless times as a thorn for my attempts at fraternal correction.

     People are typically non-confrontational. They’d rather not say anything than be told to mind their business. As a result, bad deeds persist. In the end, when damage has been inflicted, we regret not having done anything.

       People are also typically defensive. “Sorry, I am only human and commit mistakes,” would be their retort. Precisely why we should humbly welcome acts of fraternal correction. We are imperfect and the devil is preying on us 24/7. In the end, when the ill effects are irreversible, we regret not listening to good counsel.

         We may be a thorn on someone’s side in their eyes as we attempt to point out what is wrong, but to God, you are an angel. Let us watch for each other’s welfare and salvation. Marie Franco (mariefranco_pie@yahoo.com)

Reflection: Have you thanked your mother, father, siblings, and well-meaning friends who were bold enough to point out your misdeeds? After all, they love you and are after your welfare.

In the name of Jesus, by the power of Jesus, for the love of Jesus, I forgive you. And in the name of Jesus, by the power of Jesus, for the love of Jesus, I forgive myself.

St. Stephen of Hungary, pray for us.

Moses is denied entry to the Promised Land because he tested the patience of God when he struck the rock twice rather than once as the Lord had commanded him when seeking to draw water from it. This seems to be a harsh penalty, given all that Moses has been through in getting the Israelites this far. However, maybe it is simply an explanation for his dying before the people conquer the Promised Land. Whatever the case, the lesson being taught here is to trust in the Word of God as we receive it.

1 Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, the headland of Pisgah which faces Jericho, and the Lord showed him all the land — Gilead, and as far as Dan, 2 all Naphtali, the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Western Sea, 3 the Negeb, the circuit of the Jordan with the lowlands at Jericho, city of palms, and as far as Zoar. 4 The Lord then said to him, “This is the land which I swore to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that I would give to their descendants. I have let you feast your eyes upon it, but you shall not cross over.” 5 So there, in the land of Moab, Moses, the servant of the Lord, died as the Lord had said; 6 and he was buried in the ravine opposite Beth-peor in the land of Moab, but to this day no one knows the place of his burial. 7 Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died, yet his eyes were undimmed and his vigor unabated. 8 For thirty days the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab, till they had completed the period of grief and mourning for Moses. 9 Now Joshua, son of Nun, was filled with the spirit of wisdom, since Moses had laid his hands upon him; and so the children of Israel gave him their obedience, thus carrying out the Lord’s command to Moses. 10 Since then no prophet has arisen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face. 11 He had no equal in all the signs and wonders the Lord sent him to perform in the land of Egypt against Pharaoh and all his servants and against all his land, 12 and for the might and the terrifying power that Moses exhibited in the sight of all Israel.

R: Blessed be God who filled my soul with fire!

1 Shout joyfully to God, all you on earth, 2 sing praise to the glory of his name; proclaim his glorious praise. 3 Say to God: “How tremendous are your deeds!” (R) 5 Come and see the works of God, his tremendous deeds among children of Adam. 8 Bless our God, you peoples, loudly sound his praise. (R) 16 Hear now, all you who fear God, while I declare what he has done for me. 17 When I appealed to him in words, praise was on the tip of my tongue. (R)

God calls us to care for one another and this means challenging a brother or sister when they sin. This is one of the most difficult aspects of Christian discipleship. It is also a difficult part of parenting. However, it is essential as none of us has ‘got it all together’ on our own. We need our brethren to help us see where our blind spots are and deal with them.

God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

15 Jesus said to his disciples: “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. 16 If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church. If he refuses to listen even to the Church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector. 18 Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

think: Is there someone that you need to correct in a brotherly or sisterly way?

Read the Bible in one year Job 6-9

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

thank You, Lord, for: ______________________________________________________

RECONCILING LIFE’S IRONIES

AND CONFLICTS

Our First Reading today is a sad passage. It is no other than the poignant ending of the Book of Deuteronomy. Not only does Moses die; the passage says that before he passed away, he only saw from a distance the Promised Land that had been the goal of practically his entire life. He didn’t enter it. He was a great servant of the Lord, but for some strange reason even the simple consolation of seeing the fruit of his effort was not for him.

       If there are such ironies in life, there are also conflicts, contradictions and inconsistencies in it. More often than not, we just have to do our best to “reconcile” with them — come to terms with them, not allowing them to cripple or paralyze us, and accepting them. The Gospel passage today refers to reaching out to erring sinners in an effort to win them back, but in whatever reconciliation, we are challenged to carry out the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, and is surely the solace we can hold on to firmly.

       In the same line of reasoning, let us also take comfort that God will always grant us the prayers we carry out in common, with our voices and supplications united with each other. That is what He assures us — along with guaranteeing His abiding presence in our midst. Sad endings or not, we still have the heart to rejoice and thank God! Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

---------- REFLECTION QUESTION ----------

How much have you remained serene, trusting and grateful in the midst of life’s ironies and conflicts?

Lord Jesus, teach us to be quietly accepting, with neither bitter resentment nor conflict-ridden anger, in the midst of our hardships and trials. Amen.