Today's Gospel in Art - If your brother does something wrong, reprove him

Ghent Altarpiece, Jan Van Eyck & Hubert Van Eyck, 1432, © St Bavo's Cathedral, Ghent, Belgium

Gospel of 11th November 2019 - Luke 17:1-6

Jesus said to his disciples: 'Obstacles are sure to come, but alas for the one who provides them! It would be better for him to be thrown into the Sea with a millstone put round his neck than that he should lead astray a single one of these little ones. Watch yourselves!

If your brother does something wrong, reprove him and, if he is sorry, forgive him. And if he wrongs you seven times a day and seven times comes back to you and says, "I am sorry," you must forgive him.'

The apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith.' The Lord replied, 'Were your faith the size of a mustard seed you could say to this mulberry tree, "Be uprooted and planted in the sea," and it would obey you.'

Reflection on the Altarpiece

'If your brother does something wrong, reprove him' Jesus tells us today. This may sound a little harsh at first, but upon deeper reflection it isn't. There is a big difference between 'telling someone off' and 'reproving him'. Telling someone off comes out of a negative place; it comes out of a place of annoyance or impatience; the 'reproving' Jesus mentions comes out of a place of love and generosity.

To read on see: www.christianart.today/daily-gospel-reading/231