August 12, 2020
Wenesde for di 19th Wik for Ordinary Time
Readings for Today
Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, Religious—Memorial wey No Be Obligation
Listen for English
“If your brother sin against you, go tell am wetin e do wrong when na only you and am dey. If e listen to you, you don win your brother back. If e no listen, carry one or two other people follow body, so that di testimony of two or three witnesses go fit confirm every fact. If e refuse to listen to dem, tell di Church. If e refuse to listen even to di Church, then treat am as you go treat Gentile or tax collector.” Matthew 18:15-17
Wetin dey here na clear way to solve problems wey Jesus give us. First of all, as Jesus give us basic way to solve problems, e show say life go bring problems wey we go need to solve. This one no suppose surprise us or shock us. Na so life be.
Too many times, when somebody sin against us or dey live life of sin for everybody to see, we dey begin judge and condemn am. Because of this, we fit easily give up on am. If we do this, e show say we no get enough mercy and humility. Mercy and humility go lead us to want forgiveness and peace with one another again. Mercy and humility go help us see other people sins as chance to show greater love, instead of reasons to condemn dem.
How you dey approach people wey don sin, especially when na against you dem sin? Jesus make am clear say if person sin against you, you suppose do all you fit to win di sinner back. You suppose put plenty effort into loving am and do everything wey you fit do to make peace again and bring am back to di truth.
You must first talk with di person when na only you and am dey. From there, bring other people wey una trust join di talk. Di main aim na di truth, and to do all you fit so that di truth go restore una relationship. Na only after you don try everything, if di person still no accept di truth, you go then shake di dust comot from your feet and treat am as sinner. But even this one na act of love, because na way to help am see di consequences of im sin.
Today, think about who you fit need to make peace with again. Maybe you never even get that first private talk wey suppose be di first step. Maybe you dey fear to start di talk, or maybe you don already give up on di person. Pray for grace, mercy, love and humility so that you go fit reach out to people wey hurt you for di way Jesus want.
Lord, help me drop any pride wey I get wey dey stop me from showing mercy and seeking to make peace again. Help me make peace again, whether di sin against me small or even big. Make di compassion for Your heart fill my own heart so that peace go fit return. Jesus, na You I trust.
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Saint for Today – Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, Religious
Picture: Jesus Dey Teach di People for Seaside, by James Tissot
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