Daily Readings - Sun Sep 10 2023
Ezekiel
7"Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.8When I say to the wicked, 'O wicked man, you will surely die,' and you do not speak out to dissuade him from his ways, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood.9But if you do warn the wicked man to turn from his ways and he does not do so, he will die for his sin, but you will have saved yourself.
Romans
8Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.9The commandments, "Do not commit adultery,Do not murder,Do not steal,Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself."10Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Matthew
15"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.16But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.'17If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.18"I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.19"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.20For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the call to live as responsible members of God’s family, bound together by love and accountability. In the first reading from Ezekiel, we hear the prophet’s commission as a watchman for the house of Israel. Ezekiel is reminded that his role is not only to proclaim God’s word but also to ensure that those who hear it are given the opportunity to turn away from sin. The prophet’s responsibility is not just to speak, but to speak in such a way that others might be saved. This passage underscores the gravity of our shared responsibility for one another’s spiritual well-being.
The second reading from Romans shifts our focus to the heart of the law: love. Paul reminds us that love for our neighbor is the fulfillment of the entire law. He lists several commandments—against adultery, murder, theft, and coveting—but emphasizes that these are all summed up in the simple yet profound command to love one another. Love, Paul says, does no harm to others, and it is the very essence of living according to God’s will. This reading invites us to examine how we love those around us and whether our actions reflect the selfless love that God calls us to.
In the Gospel, Matthew presents Jesus’ teaching on how to handle conflict and sin within the community. Jesus outlines a step-by-step process for addressing wrongdoing: first, speak privately to the person; if that doesn’t work, involve one or two others; and if there is still no resolution, bring the matter to the Church. This process is not about condemnation but about restoration and reconciliation. Jesus also reminds us of the power of prayer and agreement in community, assuring us that when two or three gather in his name, he is present among them. This passage challenges us to approach conflict with patience, humility, and a desire to heal rather than to punish.
These readings are deeply connected. Ezekiel’s call to speak the truth in love, Paul’s emphasis on love as the heart of the law, and Jesus’ teaching on reconciliation all point to the same reality: our faith is not a solitary endeavor but a communal one. We are called to care for one another, to speak the truth in love, and to work toward healing and unity. In our daily lives, this means being willing to have difficult conversations, to forgive, and to seek forgiveness. It also means recognizing that our actions have consequences not just for ourselves, but for those around us. May we strive to live in such a way that we reflect God’s love and mercy, both in our words and in our actions.