Today, Jesus teaches his disciples about the importance of admonishing the sinner. Those who remember their eighth grade catechism will remember the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. Among the Spiritual Works is the imperative to admonish the sinner. What does it mean to admonish? To admonish someone is to counsel them against something to be avoided or warn against something that is dangerous. So, let us take a deeper look at this important spiritual work of mercy.
Last week, I spoke of the authority Jesus gives to St. Peter to bind and loose sins. This week, Jesus tells his disciples he will be killed in Jerusalem and Peter takes Jesus aside to rebuke him. Immediately after Jesus entrusts Peter with the keys to heaven and earth, Peter does what many in authority are tempted to do, they try and wield that authority over others, even the Son of God. Jesus says to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me." Jesus shows the true nature of…
This week, the Word of God speaks to us of authority. Now, authority is often one of those topics that seems to rub people the wrong way, at least in the modern age. There was a time when authority was revered, but these days, not so much. There was a time when children were taught to respect their elders, but these days, not so much. Or at least those who are taught it are few and far between. This is just one way in which authority has been whittled away today. How has authority broken down so…
In last week’s Gospel, we heard how Jesus came walking on the water towards his disciples in the boat being tossed around by the waves. From the very beginning, the image of the boat has been used to represent the Church, with St. Peter at its helm and assisted by the disciples. With that image in mind, today’s readings focus us on who else belongs in the boat with the disciples.
