Daily Readings - Sun Sep 10 2017

Second Reading - Romans 13.8-10

⁸You should owe nothing to anyone, except so as to love one another. For whoever loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law⁹For example: You shall not commit adultery. You shall not kill. You shall not steal. You shall not speak false testimony. You shall not covet. And if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this word: You shall love your neighbor as yourself¹⁰The love of neighbor does no harm. Therefore, love is the plenitude of the law

Gospel - Matthew 18.15-20

Matthew

Chapter 18

¹⁵But if your brother has sinned against you, go and correct him, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you will have regained your brother¹⁶But if he will not listen you, invite with you one or two more, so that every word may stand by the mouth of two or three witnesses¹⁷And if he will not listen to them, tell the Church. But if he will not listen to the Church, let him be to you like the pagan and the tax collector¹⁸Amen I say to you, whatever you will have bound on earth, shall be bound also in heaven, and whatever you will have released on earth, shall be released also in heaven¹⁹Again I say to you, that if two of those among you have agreed on earth, about anything whatsoever that they have requested, it shall be done for them by my Father, who is in heaven²⁰For wherever two or three are gathered in my name, there am I, in their midst.

Sermon

In today's readings, we explore the essence of love and community, guided by the teachings of St. Paul and Jesus. The Second Reading from Romans reminds us that love is the fulfillment of the law, emphasizing that loving our neighbor as ourselves is paramount. This love, Paul notes, does no harm and embodies the spirit of the law. The Gospel from Matthew complements this by outlining a structured approach to conflict resolution within the community, stressing the importance of reconciliation and prayer. The context of these readings is rooted in their respective audiences. Paul's letter to the Romans was addressed to a diverse community, urging them to live harmoniously through love. Matthew's Gospel, part of Jesus' teachings on community life, provides practical steps for handling conflicts, ensuring that love and forgiveness are central. Together, these passages highlight that love is not just a feeling but a actionable principle that guides both our personal interactions and communal life. In our daily lives, these teachings call us to approach conflicts with love and a willingness to reconcile. Whether in personal relationships or within our communities, we are urged to seek resolution through love and understanding. The moral lesson here is clear: love is the foundation of our actions, shaping how we interact and resolve discord. By embracing this love, we not only fulfill the law but also create a harmonious and compassionate community, reflecting God's presence in our midst.