23rd Sunday of Ordinary Times

Readings for:23rd Sunday of Ordinary Times, Year A

Reading 1     Ezekiel 33:7-9 

Psalm           Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9 

Reading 2    Romans 13:8-10 

Gospel        Matthew 18:15-20 

REFLECTIONS:… from Father Daniel     

Theme of the Sunday: How to Correct a Person. We should all think only about ourselves. Is this correct? No, because as all the readings today tell us, we are responsible for each other. The first reading explains the idea with the story of the sentry who is expected to blow his horn when he sees danger. The Gospel suggests how to correct one who has strayed from the way. The second reading complements this theme because it presents love for the other person as the rule that must guide all our actions.

Today we are talking about sin. When we sin, we hurt ourselves for we are doing something that takes us further away from God. Most of the time our actions hurt others as well as ourselves. That’s also what makes something a sin because it violates the law of love. What do we do when someone wrongs us? We experience actual hurt and there is a wound left in our souls. What can be done? How do we respond? The response outlined in today’s Gospel is different from our usual response. Our response to being wronged is often enough to complain to someone else about our hurt feelings (anger, or whatever). The Gospel response calls for a certain amount of courage and is motivated by love. Our response should come out of love.

What if someone does not respond? Jesus gives four possible ways we might try to resolve the problem, and the final resort is to treat the person as a gentle or tax collector. The three-step process itself is not what is especially important. What is important is the dynamic that was behind it. The dynamic is one that can move from sin to repentance, forgiveness and reconciliation. Jesus is telling us that even someone  who wrongs us should be treated with love. Love does not give us a “GPS” to lead us through life, telling us where to turn, what exit to take off the express way. He does give us a compass to guide us in the right direction. We have to struggle with putting up with little annoyances, of trying to get along with one another, or when to say something , and how to say it. Pope Francis said, “ Fraternal connection is one of the highest expressions of love, and also one of the most demanding.” 1 Cor 13:2 says, “I may have the gift of inspired preaching; I may have knowledge and understand all secrets, I may have faith needed to move mountains, but if I have no love, I am nothing.”