Fr Kevin Kilgore

***

Gospel: 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.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

***

***

Conflict is part of the human experience. Some people avoid it at all costs while others may seek it out.

***

When we argue – especially with family members – it’s easy to dig in, clinging to the need to be right. And after an argument concludes, there’s often the aftermath of silence as resentment is buried in our hearts. 

If these hurt feelings are not addressed quickly, then they become quite acidic, which is what Jesus is addressing in today’s Gospel. “If your brother or sister sins against you, go tell them!” 

He doesn’t say, “Play the silent game… Insult them… Or, gradually grow apart.” 

No, tell them, because there is nothing more important to the Lord than unity within the Christian community. We are relational beings who need each other, even if we disagree every so often.

As Saint Paul says in his First Letter to the Corinthians (a community that risked division), “I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose.”

***

Are there any unresolved conflicts in my personal life? Is there any way they might be resolved?

***

To resolve a conflict, sometimes we need to make the first move.

In the very least, we can pray for our brothers and sisters – for their peace, for their salvation, and for an openness to the unity which Christ longs for us to share.

***

***

Image credits: (1) SoundCloud (2) WalklikeJesus, WordPress (3) Pastor Rick’s Daily Hope

***

Gospel: Matthew 18: 1-5, 10, 12-14

The disciples approached Jesus and said,
“Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?”
He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said,
“Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children,
you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven.
Whoever becomes humble like this child
is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.
And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones,
for I say to you that their angels in heaven
always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.
What is your opinion?
If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray,
will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills
and go in search of the stray?
And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it
than over the ninety-nine that did not stray. 
In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father
that one of these little ones be lost.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

***

***

Who do you know more about, Saint Francis of Assisi or Saint Clare?

***

Most of us would probably say, “Saint Francis of Assisi.”

He was a lover of animals; he started the Franciscans; he was an itinerant preacher; he lived in Italy; and he wrote that fabulous prayer, “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.”

***

But what about Saint Clare, whose feast day we celebrate today? 

Both Francis and Clare were born into wealthy Italian families. Both jettisoned their fortunes to follow the Lord. Both are considered Saints. 

They were also best friends.

Clare was drawn to Francis’ deep spirit and jovial nature. In fact, they became so close that she founded a second order of the Franciscans, the Poor Clares. To this day, both religious orders remain active around the world, some 800 years later.

What draws me to Clare is the fact that she’s the lesser known of the two Saints; a bit like a drummer in a band, as opposed to the lead singer. 

Although she and Francis both helped to rebuild and reform the Church; although they both left everything behind to follow Jesus, Francis receives most of the recognition.

And for Clare, that was okay. She didn’t need the spotlight; she was content playing a supporting role, seeking only to glorify God with her life.

***

Clare’s example leaves us several questions to ponder.

Like her, do I seek to glorify God with my life? Am I content with going unnoticed, or do I need recognition for doing good?

Do I have a holy friend like Francis, someone who points me closer to God? Am I that friend for others?

***

Saint Clare of Assisi, pray for us.

***

***

Image credits: (1) Clare of Assisi, Wikipedia (2) Renovaré (3) Dreamstime.com

***

Gospel: John 12: 24-26

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies,
it remains just a grain of wheat;
but if it dies, it produces much fruit.
Whoever loves his life loses it,
and whoever hates his life in this world
will preserve it for eternal life.
Whoever serves me must follow me,
and where I am, there also will my servant be.
The Father will honor whoever serves me.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

***

***

Most children go through a superhero phase. Whether it’s Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, or the Incredible Hulk, children are inspired by the creativity, bravery, and sense of justice that superheroes bring.

Batman protects the city of Gotham.

Wonder Woman fights for equality.

There’s something instinctively good about these heroes putting themselves on the line, fighting for what is right and true.

***

Every so often, a child grows up, becoming like the superheroes of their youth. In the Catholic Church, we call these men and women Saints. 

Not because they possess a superpower which the rest of humanity does not, or because they are from some other planet, but because they lean into grace and put their faith into action, often with great suffering or at the cost of their lives. 

Using the imagery of today’s Gospel, the Saints are like grains of wheat, who fall to the ground and die, producing much fruit – thirty, sixty, or a hundredfold.

***

Today we celebrate the Feast of Saint Lawrence, a deacon who lived in third-century Rome. Directly appointed by the pope, Lawrence was responsible for distributing the material wealth collected by the Church to the poor.

But in 258, the Roman Emperor Valerian issued a decree that all bishops, priests, and deacons were to be executed, and the riches of the Church confiscated for his own possession.

Before his execution, Lawrence asked for permission to collect the wealth of the Church. Seventy-two hours later, he presented a delegation of the city’s poor, blind, crippled, and sick to Valerian and said, “Here are the treasures of the Church!”

Enraged, Valerian ordered Lawrence to be seared to death on red-hot grill.

***

The use of this man’s courage, faith, and creativity in the fight against evil are what make him a Saint. Or, you might say a superhero, capable of inspiring children and adults alike. 

***

***

Image credits: (1) Library of Congress (2) Instagram (3) The Martyrdom of Saint Lawrence, Peter Paul Rubens