Daily Gospel Reflection

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August 16, 2023

Wednesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Mt 18:15-20
Listen to the Audio Version

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
For where two or three are gathered together in my name,
there am I in the midst of them.”

Reflection

Jeremy Howe ’00
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I struggle when it comes to dealing with conflict. My actions regularly fall into the flight or fight category. I often do whatever I can to avoid confrontation and move past the situation as quickly as possible. Or, if I feel particularly hurt or wronged, I lash out with anger and hurtful words of my own. Any one of these approaches might appeal to my emotional self at the moment, but in the long run, they offer little in the way of lasting resolution and peace.

In today’s gospel, Jesus offers counsel on how to deal with the uncomfortable topic of conflict. It’s clear that ignoring or fleeing isn’t an option; Jesus has a clear bias for action in his words. He describes resolving conflict as a multi-step process that might require time, patience, and persistence. But more importantly, I note that Jesus identifies the one who sins against us as “your brother.”

How powerful of a reminder this is! Jesus teaches us to be direct in dealing with conflict, but we cannot forget that we are also commanded to love our brothers and sisters, even when they have offended us. In this way, we can reframe approaching conflict to be, at its core, an act of compassion. Our relationships are worth nurturing, which means they are worth working through in the nitty gritty, day-to-day conflict.

Today, let us ask God to strengthen our resolve in addressing conflict as we journey through our lives, always choosing love, compassion, and empathy for “those who trespass against us.”

Prayer

Father Tim Mouton, C.S.C.

God of unity and peace, our human nature drives us to dark places of competition and comparison among ourselves. Give us the humility to see one another as you see us, as people struggling towards to the same goal—eternal life with you. Help us to work together in harmony as we strive to grow in holiness. Let us listen to each other with patience, speak to each other with gentleness, and love one another with mercy. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saint of the Day

St. Stephen of Hungary
St. Stephen of Hungary

St. Stephen was crowned the first king of Hungary in 1001 and united that nation under Christianity.

He literally established the Church there—erecting churches and recommending bishops to lead in different regions. He commanded tithes to be paid to support new monasteries and parishes, and suppressed pagan beliefs.

He stayed close to the poor. Anyone could tell him their story and find a ready ear, but he made himself especially available to poor people. In one story, he disguised himself to distribute money and goods to the poor himself. A crowd gathered around him, and a small number roughed him up and took for themselves what he had intended to give to many. He laughed it off, happy to suffer for Christ, and resolved to never refuse support to any poor person who asked him.

His son, Blessed Emeric of Hungary (pictured here as a boy), was to be heir to the throne, but died in a hunting accident. Stephen was grief-stricken, and spent the rest of his life amidst bitter disputes about his succession.

He died from a painful illness in 1038. On his deathbed, he raised his right hand and asked the Virgin Mary to be Queen of Hungarians. His right hand remained incorrupt after his death and is kept intact as a relic. Known simply as the Holy Right, it is kept in Budapest to this day as a sign that Mary accepted his offer.

Shortly after his death, healings took place at the tomb of St. Stephen. He was canonized as the first confessor king—a new category of saint—and his relics are on display in the Basilica. The image of St. Stephen was created by Matthew Alderman '06.

St. Stephen of Hungary, you cared most for those in need—pray for us!

Image credit:

Matthew Alderman '06, used with permission