Wednesday 14 August 2024

Today is Wednesday the 14th August, the feast of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, in the 19th week of Ordinary Time. The Cape Town Camerata sings, Ndikhokhele Bawo. ‘Father, Lead Me’. How might God be leading you today? Ndikhokhele Bawo, zundikhokhele (Lead me oh Father, lead me) Ndikhokhele mmeli wami ezintsizini, Zalomhlaba Bawo (Lead me my saviour in all the sorrows of this world, Father) Bawo, Bawo, Bawo (Father, Father, Father) Bawo ndiyabonga Ngoba wena usandigcinile (Father I thank you, for you still protect me) Mmeli wami Bawo uhlal’ uhlele duzekwami (Father, Saviour, you calm my fears) Bawo ndiyabonga ngoba wena usandigcinile (Father I thank you, for you still protect me) Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 18:15-20 ‘If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax-collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.’ As you consider this reading, how does it echo in your life? Are you aware of being hurt by someone, or worried about a particular relationship? What situations in your life come to mind? Pick out one or two to stay with just for a while. Take a moment to consider how God is looking at you at this time. How do you respond to God’s gaze? How do you respond to God looking at the situations in your life that cause you anxiety or concern? Listen again to Jesus’s words. As a particular word or phrase strikes you, stay with it, perhaps repeating it to yourself and letting it sink deeper into you. As you bring together the words of Jesus and your thoughts about your own life, speak to Jesus about what you’re thinking and feeling. Speak as you would to a friend, then listen to his response, or just remain in silence with him, noticing what you’re feeling. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.