Daily Catholic Mass Readings for September 6, 2020
First Reading: Ezekiel 33.7-9
7So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.8When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.9Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
Psalm 95
1O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.2Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.3For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.4In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also.5The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.6O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.7For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,8Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness:9When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work.10Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways:11Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.
Second Reading: Romans 13.8-10
8Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.9For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.10Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
Gospel: Matthew 18.15-20
15Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.16But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.17And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.18Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.19Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.20For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Sermon
In today's readings, we explore themes of responsibility, love, and community. Ezekiel is called as a watchman, tasked with warning the people of Israel, emphasizing the importance of speaking up to save others from sin. The consequences of not fulfilling this duty are severe, highlighting the weight of responsibility. In Romans, Paul explains that love is the essence of the law, encompassing all commandments and doing no harm. This love is not just a feeling but a commitment to the well-being of others. The Gospel from Matthew outlines a process for correcting a brother who has sinned, emphasizing patience, community involvement, and the power of collective prayer, with Jesus present in gatherings of two or three.
These readings connect through the thread of love as action. Ezekiel's role as a watchman is an act of love, urging others to turn from sin. Paul's message in Romans underscores that love is the fulfillment of the law, guiding our interactions with others. Matthew's instruction on correction is rooted in loving concern for a brother's spiritual well-being, using community and prayer to restore relationships.
In daily life, these teachings call us to be mindful of our influence on others, to act with love, and to engage with our community in supportive ways. We are reminded that love is not passive but active, involving correction and care. The moral lesson is clear: our faith is lived through responsible action and loving service to others, reflecting God's presence in our midst.