23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (September 10, 2023)

Ezek 33.7-9; Rom 13.8-10; Mt 18.15-20

• While all of us are sinners, we know Catholics who, despite their attendance at Holy Mass, stubbornly persist in grave sin. Today’s Readings and Gospel instruct us on our responsibility and the importance of respectfully relating to sinners and leading them to repentance.

• In the first reading, the Lord appointed Ezekiel as the watchman of the house of Israel. During wartime, a watchman would blow his trumpet to alert people of the approaching enemy. Should he fail to give warning of the enemy, he would be held accountable for any deaths.

• In our own “culture of death”, we must fulfill our roles as the watchmen, reminding our friends that “you shall not murder” and to accept their responsibility to repent if they have, so as to live in the Lord.

• Our Blessed Lord shows us the way: First we must speak to the sinner in private. If no wrongdoing is admitted, then a few others are to come along to help determine what transpired. If this still does not work, then we are to speak to the Church, the local community of believers.

Pro-Life Intercession

That we who are called to instruct and admonish one another may never fail to dissuade those who are tempted to abort their children, we pray to the Lord ...