Escucha la Reflexión Aquí!

 

Second Reading: Philemon 9-10, 12-17.

 

Those whom the Lord loves, he disciplines.

 

I, Paul, an old man, and now also a prisoner for Christ Jesus, urge you on behalf of my child Onesimus, whose father I have become in my imprisonment; I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you. I should have liked to retain him for myself, so that he might serve me on your behalf in my imprisonment for the gospel, but I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that the good you do might not be forced but voluntary. Perhaps this is why he was away from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a brother, beloved especially to me, but even more so to you, as a man and in the Lord. So if you regard me as a partner, welcome him as you would me.

 

Questions for Reflection

 

1. Why do you think was it important to Paul that Onesimus return to his former master?

 

2. What role should we play in helping people be reconciled to others with whom they have had conflicts?

 

3. What do you think was Philemon’s response when Onesimus returned to him? Why? 

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