Welcoming the Holy
Here we invite you to take time for yourself in personal prayer. The following spiritual reflection offers words and images which we hope will evoke for you an experience of God.
By: Sister Joan Sobala
“Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven. Whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 18.18
Opening Prayer
With Your own open hands, Father, You teach us to be openhanded with our brothers and sisters. You teach us to value our unity, to make it fruitful. Let us welcome Your Son’s example of openheartedness to all he met, so that we may hold fast to the bonds that unite us and let go of those that destroy. We pray through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Reflection
The only way we can live is in community. Isolation destroys, limits, confines us. But community allows us to make mistakes, to acknowledge them and to be embraced by the community. Jesus calls us to this. To bind and loose is lifegiving.
For Catholics, the premier occasion to experience community is Eucharist. Not a holy thing we receive, but Eucharist is a community celebration which includes a promise of a commitment to one another in Christ. We belong. And it is painful that so many have left the church for one reason or another. Some have been hurt, really wronged by someone in authority. Some are angry at the church for reasons which have faded away. Some are bored. Still others think it just doesn’t matter to anyone whether they are here or not. Nonetheless, all are our brothers and sisters in Christ. We need to be concerned about them. And we need to challenge ourselves to find creative ways to show them we care and we would welcome their return. Our community is incomplete without them. How do we draw them back. Ezekiel, Paul and Jesus today tell us, each in his own way to keep the door open to our sisters and brothers who are away, whatever the cause.
Closing Prayer
Loving God, as I worship with my sisters and brothers at Mass, inspire me to be mindful of all who are with me, and remember those who are absent. Let my words to others who pray with me be kind, gentle, and welcoming. It is not always easy, but let it be so between me and them. In Your Son’s name, we pray. Amen.
