Matthew 18:15-20
Message
“If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell them—work it out between the two of you. If they listen, you’ve made a friend. If they won’t listen, take one or two others along so that the presence of witnesses will keep things honest, and try again. If they still won’t listen, tell the church. If they won’t listen to the church, you’ll have to start over from scratch, confront them with the need for repentance, and offer again God’s forgiving love.
“Take this most seriously: A yes on earth is yes in heaven; a no on earth is no in heaven. What you say to one another is eternal. I mean this.
When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I’ll be there.”
REFLECTIONS:
Thoughts from Cory: “What you say to one another is eternal.”
What is a word that was spoken to you that has stuck with you?
Maybe someone told you when you were young that you weren’t good enough, smart enough, tough enough, or beautiful enough and you still feel the scars from that word? Or maybe someone saw something in you, encouraged you, or challenged you in a way that has led you on a journey of growth?
Other translations say, “What is bound on earth will be bound in heaven and what is loosed on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Binding and loosing. Our words have the power to limit, reduce, belittle, and ensnare or they have the power to set free, to open the doors of possibility.
What affect are your words having?
“Words which do not give the light of Christ increase the darkness.” - Mother Theresa
PRACTICE:
Outward Mindset Application
Find something praise-worthy in a co-worker or friend this week. Shout it from the rooftops.
Pathways Toward Centeredness
Caregiving (Loving God by loving others):
Invite and welcome a new person into your clique, club, family, or group.
Questions for Reflection
Is there someone in your life that needs to hear a particular word from you? Forgiveness, or acceptance, or encouragement?
Is there someone in your life that wants to share a word with you, but you haven't offered them space to share it? Are you available to receive the grace of an apology?
“Liturgy” refers to the habits and practices humans use to form community around shared values and meaning. At Church at the Park, we desire to be a community of practice, becoming people who see the world through the eyes of the marginalized, making meaning through the lens of pain and suffering, and committing ourselves to non-violence in a wounded world. This weekly email is intended to provide pathways of practice for becoming the type of people who embody these values.
Many of our reflections on each week's text come from other sources. If you're interested in reading more of what inspires us, here our our two favorite reflections.
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