Epistle Reading – Romans 13:8-end
Love for One Another
8 Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbour has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this sentence, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbour; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
An Urgent Appeal
11 Besides this you know what hour it is, how it is full time now for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; 12 the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armour of light; 13 let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in revelling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarrelling and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
Gospel Reading – Matthew 18: 15-20
Reproving Another Who Sins
15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18 Truly, 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. 19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
| Article Romans 13.8–end & Matthew 18.15–20 Kick‑Start for the Week — Love, Reconciliation, and Christ Among Us Paul reminds us that all the commandments find their fulfilment in one simple call: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” Love isn’t sentimental here, it’s practical, patient, and willing to seek the good of others. It’s the kind of love that shapes how we speak, how we act, and how we respond when things get difficult. Jesus then shows us what this love looks like in real life. When relationships strain or someone hurts us, the instinct is often to withdraw, complain, or avoid. But Jesus teaches a different way: go to the person gently, speak honestly, seek understanding, and aim for reconciliation. And he promises something extraordinary when we gather in his name, even in small, fragile moments of repair, he is with us. Every Sunday, when we worship together, we practise this kind of love. We learn to be a community where Christ is present, not because we are perfect, but because we are willing to forgive, to listen, and to walk toward one another with grace.
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| Kick‑Start for the week: Choose one relationship where you can take a small step toward love or reconciliation, a conversation, an apology, a gentle check‑in, or a softening of your tone. Let this simple act be your way of living out Christ’s presence in the everyday. |
Prayer of the Week
Lord Jesus, teach us to love as you love. Give us courage to seek peace, to speak gently, and to move toward others with grace. Be present in our relationships this week and guide us in the way of reconciliation and hope. Amen.
Revd Dean
