Where Two or Three are Gathered

Dear Diary,

This morning at St. Mary’s, Mini curled up quietly under the pew by my feet, her little bottom tucked in close like she knew we were in a holy place. Sister Mary Claire was next to me, and I tried to keep my mind still so I could really listen to Father LeRoy.

The Gospel reading was from Matthew, and it was about what to do if someone hurts you or does something wrong. Father said Jesus was teaching that the first thing to do is to speak to the person alone, not to talk about them behind their back or get angry in silence. “You go to them in love,” Father said, “because the goal is not to win an argument, but to win back a brother or sister.”

If that doesn’t work, you bring along one or two others who love the truth, to help make peace. And if that still doesn’t work, you tell the Church so everyone can pray and guide them. Father said that Jesus’ words about binding and loosing meant that the Church has real authority from Heaven to forgive sins and to guide us.

The part that stayed with me most was when Father read, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” I thought about how many times it’s just Sister, me, and Mini praying together in the cave, and how Jesus is right there with us.

After Mass, Sister whispered that forgiveness is like mending a tear in a favorite dress—you fix it before it gets worse. I think Jesus must feel the same way about our hearts.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for being near when we gather in Your name.
Help me to forgive quickly,
to speak kindly,
and to keep peace in my heart.
Stay with Sister, Mini, and me always, and mend any tears in my heart before they grow.

Amen.

Love,
Kathy