Daily Quote - Our hearts were made...

 

Wisdom from George Weigel

 

The Church of the twenty-first century and the third millennium will be a Christ- centered Church, born of the Gospel in full, or it will not be. Those who would lead the Church must understand that. The leaders of the Church must not be frightened by the fact that ours are not Christendom times, but apostolic times.

— George Weigel from his book The Next Pope

Daily Quote - To one who has faith…

 

Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A - September 6, 2020

First Reading

Ezekiel 33:7-9
The Son of Man is appointed as guardian of Israel.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 95:1-2,6-9
Song of praise to God, our salvation.

Second Reading
Romans 13:8-10
The Law is summarized in the commandment to love your neighbor as yourself.

Gospel Reading

Jesus teaches his disciples how to settle disputes in the Church.

Matthew 18:15-20

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.”


Background on the Gospel Reading

Today’s Gospel reading is taken from a chapter of Matthew’s Gospel, which is sometimes called the “discourse on the Church” or the “church order” discourse. In this part of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus speaks more directly about matters of Church discipline and order. In today’s reading we find one of only three instances in which Jesus uses the word church in Matthew’s Gospel. In Matthew’s record of Jesus’ teaching, we can hear echoes of the kinds of issues faced by the early Christian community.

In the first part of the “discourse on the Church” (Matthew 18:1-14), Matthew addresses the Christian community’s concerns about rank. Jesus responds to the disciples’ question about who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus indicates that those who wish to enter the kingdom of heaven must be like children, and he cautions those leaders who might lead these “little ones” astray. He also responds with the parable of the lost sheep, indicating how God will seek out and bring back those “little ones” who have strayed.

In today’s Gospel reading, Matthew 18:15-20, Jesus addresses a common occurrence in the Christian community: a dispute between two members of the Church. Jesus outlines a procedure for settling such matters fairly. The victim should privately address the offender and attempt to resolve the dispute without outside involvement. If that fails, then the victim should bring two or three witnesses and confront the offender again. If the dispute is still unresolved, the matter should be brought to the attention of the entire community. If the offender refuses to adhere to the reparations prescribed by the community, then Jesus suggests that the offender may be expelled from the Church.

Jesus does not discourage disagreement within the community of the Church; he acknowledges the reality of conflict and error and offers his disciples a means for addressing such matters. It is in the conclusion to this teaching that the message of hope is found: Jesus is present with the community and will guide the community in its relations. If decisions are taken in prayer, then the community can be assured of God’s assistance.


Family Connection

Conflict and disagreements are a natural part of family life. Yet, within our family, we have an important opportunity to learn how to resolve disagreements fairly by treating people with love and respect.

As you gather as a family this week, discuss the procedures for resolving disputes in your family. What kinds of things produce disagreements in your family? Do children frequently request the assistance of the adults when a disagreement arises? How do the adults respond? In today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches his disciples the way in which they are to handle conflict within the Christian community of the Church. Read together this Gospel, Matthew 18:15-20. Invite family members to summarize the steps that Jesus proposes for resolving conflict. How might today’s Gospel inform your family’s handling of disagreements? If you have time, your family might choose to role play how Jesus’ teaching about conflict resolution might be applied to a disagreement that sometimes occurs in your household.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus also promises that he will help those who pray to him with their needs. Pray together that each member of your family will learn to handle conflict in a Christian manner. Pray together the Peace Prayer of Saint Francis.


Sources: Loyola Press; Sunday Readings
PRAYER WARRIORS OF THE HOLY SOULS (PWHS)

Daily Quote - Nothing can so effectually...

 

How science points to God

 

Does God exist?  Where can we find an irrefutable answer?  Could it be in science? The skeptical scientists honored in our culture often claim that science has disproved God’s existence once and for all. We are told that science and religion are wholly incompatible and that those of us who profess faith in God are unwilling to bend our wills to the truth. In this highly gratifying book, scientist Dr. Gerard Verschuuren flips this assertion around, showing time and time again how it is not the Christians, but rather the scientists, who are unwilling to incline their wills to the truth when it presents itself. Dr. Verschuuren helps us to recognize science’s limited scope, how it is restricted to what can be dissected, measured, and counted. It is not the only pathway to knowledge. Science operates within the realm of nature. It cannot, therefore, make aesthetic judgments or moral judgments or draw conclusions about the supernatural, which is, by definition, beyond the realm of nature. Science is likewise ill-equipped to explore ethereal concepts such as beauty and love. It explores only the how, never the why. But science can, and does, point us in the direction of the Creator. With clear, well-documented explanations, Dr. Verschuuren carefully guides you through the fields of science, identifying the many “hints” and “signs”of God’s existence in genetics, neuroscience, behavioral science, semantics, logic, and math. Taken together, these hints provide an overwhelming case for the existence of God that is practically impossible to deny. How Science Points to God teaches you to approach scientific processes and discoveries with a mind of faith, bringing you to a far deeper understanding of who we are and how we came to be. In this way, science is moving us toward ultimately proving the existence of God, while inspiring and intensifying our faith along the way. How Science Points to God by Dr. Gerard Verschuuren Paperback — 208 pages List Price:  $14.95  Today's Sale Price: $12.99! BUY NOW Don't stop there. Get more wisdom from Dr. Verschuuren and save with this specially priced set.   Here Dr. Verschuuren shows that it is reason that gives us access to both scientific discovery and the existence of God. When we use our reason to investigate God’s existence, we encounter proofs that are more powerful, by far, than any that science could ever provide. Yes, Verschuuren is a Catholic; but he’s also a long-standing scientist, schooled in using reason alone to draw forth from evidence the proofs to which it necessarily leads. Among the many truths that Verschuuren evinces here by reason alone are the following:   Why science is not qualified to speak about the existence, or nonexistence, of God   The many ways we can know for certain that God exists   How we know that God is all-perfect   How God can be all-knowing   How we know He is all-powerful   What it means to say that He is “all-present”   Why the same God cannot be the God of all religions   And much more that reveals the enormous power of reason — and the even greater power of God! Verschuuren’s stunning proofs for God’s existence — based on evidence alone — will open your eyes, stir your heart and, more importantly, deepen your faith in the wondrous Creator of Heaven and earth!   Get BOTH  books for only $24.99! BUY NOW Order online above, or call 1-800-888-9344 www.SophiaInstitute.com   Invite friends to receive our newsletters and get these books for FREE! LEARN MORE Get one discounted book per month—and never pay shipping! Learn more:

Christianity’s most popular book (after the Bible)

 

Written by Thomas à Kempis in the Middle Ages, The Imitation of Christ has been revered for nearly six centuries  as a spiritual classic. It is, after the Bible, the most widely read and translated book in the world.  It has shaped the spirituality of such great saints as Ignatius of Loyola and Thérèse of Lisieux. St. Thomas More, the  Renaissance scholar and martyr, considered this devotional one of the most important books for a Christian to own.  Now comes a beautiful new illuminated edition for today’s readers. With lovely detail work, famous icons depicting the life of Christ, and a handsome leather slipcase, The Imitation of Christ is a physical treasure full of spiritual riches. In the clear, unburdened prose of Bishop Challoner’s English translation, this book’s stunning insights into the spiritual life sound a compelling call to give one’s whole life to Christ. This call, far from a lofty ideal reserved for the holiest of nuns and hermits, in fact echoes at the very heart of every Christian life. Each of us must abandon the ways of the world to follow the way of the Cross. The Imitation of Christ offers a complete education in this interior transformation from worldliness to godliness. With the help of these profound meditations, enter the mystery of the Trinity and embrace the joys of a richly authentic life in Christ. The Imitation of Christ: Illuminated Edition by Thomas à Kempis Hardback — 144 pages $79.99 BUY NOW PREVIEW NOW For one week only, save  25% with promotion code: Imitation25 Code expires on August 24, 2020.   More Spiritual Classics:      Order online above, or call 1-800-888-9344 www.SophiaInstitute.com   Invite friends to receive our newsletters and get these books for FREE! LEARN MORE Get one discounted book per month—and never pay shipping! Learn more: