Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year A
Posté par diaconos le 6 septembre 2020
If he listens to you, you’ve won your brother.
From the Gospel according to Saint Matthew
« If your brother has committed a sin, go and talk to him alone and show him his fault. If he listens to you, you will have won your brother. If he does not listen to you, take one or two more people with you so that the whole matter can be settled on the word of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the community of the Church ; if he still refuses to listen to the Church, consider him a pagan and a publican. Amen, I say to you, whatever you have bound on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you have loosed on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again I tell you, if two of you on earth agree to ask something, they will get it from my Father in heaven. When two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there in their midst ». (Mt 18 , 5-20)
Author +FATHER MARIE LANDRY C+MPS
Homily
Holy Trinity, I adore you and ask you to glorify yourself on this day with my thoughts, words and deeds. Lord, teach me to live fraternal correction in my family, in my work, in my community as a gesture of charity towards my neighbour. Today, the Gospel proposes that we reflect on Jesus’ recommendations to the disciples of his time and of all times. Even in the community of the first Christians there were faults and behaviours contrary to God’s will.
The last verse tells us how to solve all the problems encountered within the Church throughout its history : « When two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there among them » (Mt 18, 20). Jesus is always present in all periods of the life of his Church, his « mystical body » animated incessantly by the action of the Holy Spirit. We are always brothers, whether our community is small or large, and things are no easier today than when the church was smaller.
But if we reflect on things in dialogue with God our Father, He will give us light so that we can find the right time, place and words to do our duty and help. It is important to purify our heart. Saint Paul encourages us to correct our neighbour with righteousness : « Brothers, even if someone is at fault, you spiritual people, restore him in a spirit of gentleness, watching over yourself, for you too may be tempted » (Gal 6, 1).
Deep affection and humility will encourage us to seek gentleness. « But act with a maternal hand, with the infinite delicacy that our mothers used to heal the big or small wounds of our childhood games and falls » (Saint José marie). As the Mother of Jesus and Our Mother corrects us, inspiring us to love God and our brothers more.
Jesus, grant us the grace of true freedom, not to hurt, but to build and help our brothers and sisters. May your Word shape and inspire our way of thinking, speaking and acting. May we be attentive to our brothers and sisters with true brotherly zeal, may our words be right when it is necessary to bring them back to the right path, may our ears be attentive to the correction of our brothers and sisters. That together we may build this united community, in agreement, praying and asking with one heart, which gathers in your name with the certainty of your presence among us. Lord, may we be good brothers to others. Amen
Additional information at
◊ Deacon Michel Houyoux : click here to read the paper → Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year A
Any additions from you, in connection with this paper, will be welcome and will be published. Write it in the box below the paper.
Links to other Christian Websites
◊ Catholic Reading : click here to read the paper → 23rd Sunday in Ordinary time, Year A
◊ A reflexion of the heart : click here to read the paper → Homily: Twenty-third Sunday In Ordinary Time (Year A)
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