Wednesday of the Nineteenth Week of Ordinary Time

Today's Mass Readings

I know this may become a shock to some people, but I am a sinner. Yes, it’s true. I sin. Even in a monastery, no one is perfect.

Our Lord says in the Gospel today, “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.” Whenever I read this passage, I always think, “wow can I do something like that, win over my brother’s heart for God?” And the answer is no, I can’t. It is impossible for me to do this. But, as St. Paul says, “He [the Lord] has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” By God’s strength, which we receive as a great grace, we can become his instrument of conversion to help those in need.

I ask you, how can you be an instrument of our Lord? It could be through praying for someone in need or by doing an act of charity for someone you find to be unpleasant or just simply listening to someone in need. I challenge you to be a saint today!

Reflection by Br. Maximilian Burkhart, OSB