Reflection for WEDNESDAY, 19th Week, Ordinary Time

By

Fr. Aloysius Santiago sdb
Assistant Parish Priest, Manjeshwar, Kasargod

Gospel Passage for the day 

Matthew 18:15-20

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘If your brother does something wrong, go and have it out with him alone, between your two selves. If he listens to you, you have won back your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you: the evidence of two or three witnesses is required to sustain any charge. But if he refuses to listen to these, report it to the community; and if he refuses to listen to the community, treat him like a pagan or a tax collector.

‘I tell you solemnly, whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.

‘I tell you solemnly once again, if two of you on earth agree to ask anything at all, it will be granted to you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three meet in my name, I shall be there with them.’

Reflection on the Readings of the day

There are many different views of life.

For some who are fortunate enough, they may say that life is good and life may be too short especially when they are enjoying it.

But generally, it may be said that life is difficult and problems seem to drag on.

For Moses, life had been burdensome for 40 years, with leading the Israelites in the desert.

They were always complaining about this or that, and Moses had to often plead with the Lord for forgiveness for the people.

When he went up to Mount Nebo, the Lord showed him the land that was promised to Abraham, Issac and Jacob.

Then the Lord said to him: I have let you see it with your own eyes, but you shall not cross into it.

Would Moses be disappointed that he would not lead the Israelites into the Promised Land?

After having endured 40 years of burden and frustration in the desert, wouldn’t it be time for him to have some reward and rest?

But the Lord had a far better reward for Moses. And Moses would be able to enjoy that reward in eternal rest.

So if we think that life is difficult and burdensome, let us remember how Moses endured those 40 years.

After all, our sufferings in this life cannot be compared to the eternal reward that God wants to give us.


AUGUST 16

TODAY IS THE 208th BIRTHDAY OF ST. JOHN BOSCO

 

John Bosco, popularly known as Don Bosco, was an Italian Roman Catholic priest, educator and writer of the 19th century.

Born: 16 August 1815, Castelnuovo Don Bosco, Italy

Died: 31 January 1888, Turin, Italy

Full name: John Bosco

Feast: 31 January

Buried: Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, Turin, Italy.


Prayer to Saint John Bosco 

O Saint John Bosco, father and teacher of youth, who have labored so much for the salvation of souls be our guide in seeking the good of our souls and the salvation of our neighbor;  help us to conquer our passions and all human respect;  teach us to love Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament,  Mary, Help of Christians and our Holy Father the Pope,

and obtain for us from God the grace of a happy death so that we may all be gathered together with you in heaven. Amen.


Saint John Bosco, Pray for Us!

GOD BLESS YOU

Good morning. Have a nice day.