Beloved in Christ,
Jesus says, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Mt. 18:20). Let us talk about the church as a community that manifests Jesus and how important it is for that community to remain united, even when there is frequent rancor and disagreement among its members. The Gospel for this Sunday Mass, Mt. 18:15-20, speaks to how to address the problem of a recalcitrant member, remedy it, and gain that member back. We pray that we listen to the voice of God, who speaks through the church, whenever we fall away from the truth.
I want us to look further into the Greek word for the church, ekklesia. In the context of this reflection, the church is constituted by people who have been called by grace out of the world to form a people of the new covenant, members of Christ's kingdom. As members of God's family, the church, we must work toward unity of heart and purpose. In matters of faith, we cannot do our "private" things; we do what God commands us to do as one people. In like manner, when it comes to what the institution of the church has legislated, whether it has to do with doctrine or liturgy, we cannot do our own thing, but we must follow the directive of the voice of Christ speaking through his body, the Church.
We can see the importance of acting as one, with unity of purpose, as the church in the life of prayer, both public and private. Jesus emphasizes "symphonein," a Greek word meaning "in accord" or "agreement," indicating a harmony of voices. For instance, when we come together as a church to participate in the Mass, we should be one in mind and heart; we should leave no room for discord in our intent and purpose. Beyond praying with affirmation as we come together, we should also stress the importance of a unified understanding of what we are doing and how we are doing it. What is the Church's intention for us in how to celebrate and participate in Mass? Are we of one accord?
As we reflect on the importance of reconciliation and unity in the Body of Christ, the Church, we must carry Mary, the Mother of the Church, with us. In this regard, I would like us to keep in mind the traditional liturgical devotion for September: Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows. We celebrate the memorial on September 15. Before this memorial are the celebrations of her Nativity on September 8 and the Exaltation of the Cross on September 14. All these memorials and feasts are linked, and they help us meditate on the Seven Sorrows of Mary as an aid in accepting sufferings and spiritual healing. Have you ever prayed the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows of Mary? This ancient devotion was revived in the apparition of Our Lady to the visionaries at Kibeho in Rwanda in the '80s. Consider supplementing your daily rosary with the chaplet of the Seven Sorrows of Mary.
Happy Labor Day!
In Christ's Cross,
Fr. Alayode, OP
Jesus says, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Mt. 18:20). Let us talk about the church as a community that manifests Jesus and how important it is for that community to remain united, even when there is frequent rancor and disagreement among its members. The Gospel for this Sunday Mass, Mt. 18:15-20, speaks to how to address the problem of a recalcitrant member, remedy it, and gain that member back. We pray that we listen to the voice of God, who speaks through the church, whenever we fall away from the truth.
I want us to look further into the Greek word for the church, ekklesia. In the context of this reflection, the church is constituted by people who have been called by grace out of the world to form a people of the new covenant, members of Christ's kingdom. As members of God's family, the church, we must work toward unity of heart and purpose. In matters of faith, we cannot do our "private" things; we do what God commands us to do as one people. In like manner, when it comes to what the institution of the church has legislated, whether it has to do with doctrine or liturgy, we cannot do our own thing, but we must follow the directive of the voice of Christ speaking through his body, the Church.
We can see the importance of acting as one, with unity of purpose, as the church in the life of prayer, both public and private. Jesus emphasizes "symphonein," a Greek word meaning "in accord" or "agreement," indicating a harmony of voices. For instance, when we come together as a church to participate in the Mass, we should be one in mind and heart; we should leave no room for discord in our intent and purpose. Beyond praying with affirmation as we come together, we should also stress the importance of a unified understanding of what we are doing and how we are doing it. What is the Church's intention for us in how to celebrate and participate in Mass? Are we of one accord?
As we reflect on the importance of reconciliation and unity in the Body of Christ, the Church, we must carry Mary, the Mother of the Church, with us. In this regard, I would like us to keep in mind the traditional liturgical devotion for September: Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows. We celebrate the memorial on September 15. Before this memorial are the celebrations of her Nativity on September 8 and the Exaltation of the Cross on September 14. All these memorials and feasts are linked, and they help us meditate on the Seven Sorrows of Mary as an aid in accepting sufferings and spiritual healing. Have you ever prayed the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows of Mary? This ancient devotion was revived in the apparition of Our Lady to the visionaries at Kibeho in Rwanda in the '80s. Consider supplementing your daily rosary with the chaplet of the Seven Sorrows of Mary.
Happy Labor Day!
In Christ's Cross,
Fr. Alayode, OP
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