September 10 - Sunday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time, Year A

Published: Sept. 9, 2023, 4 a.m.

b'(Ez.33:7-9;\\xa0\\xa0 Ps.95:1-2,6-9;\\xa0\\xa0 Rom.13:8-10;\\xa0\\xa0 Mt.18:15-20) \\xa0 \\u201cO wicked one, you shall surely die.\\u201d \\xa0 The Lord declares to the prophet Ezekiel: \\u201cYou, son of man, I have appointed watchman for the house of Israel.\\u201d\\xa0 He is to \\u201cspeak out to dissuade the wicked from his way,\\u201d that the sinner might not \\u201cdie for his guilt\\u201d and that the prophet himself might not be \\u201cresponsible for his death\\u201d by his silence. As the Lord calls Ezekiel, so He requires all the Church to \\u201cwarn the wicked, trying to turn him from his way.\\u201d\\xa0 We must be diligent with all those in our care, all those we find in need, not in order to deliver condemnation upon souls but to invite all to \\u201cbow down in worship\\u201d and \\u201ckneel before the Lord who made us.\\u201d\\xa0 How can someone know this great glory if there is sin upon his soul?\\xa0 And how will he know to turn from his sin if those the Lord gives words to speak hold their tongues as the sheep goes astray?\\xa0 And what shall become of this soul who has not offered the word of loving wisdom, but rather determined in himself that there is no hope for the sinner he sees? Brothers and sisters, when we are called to declare: \\u201c\\u2018You shall not commit adultery; you shall not kill; you shall not steal; you shall not covet,\\u2019 and whatever other commandment there may be,\\u201d it is out of love for the soul we see straying that we speak.\\xa0 For love is \\u201cthe fulfillment of the law\\u201d; it sums up all its precepts, and so all its precepts are expressed in love.\\xa0 Do not think the law is opposed to love \\u2013 love and justice are one in God; and the Lord does not call us to ignorance or acceptance of sin, but to truth and salvation. \\u201cJesus said to His disciples, \\u2018If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault\\u2019\\u201d; do not pretend the fault does not exist, but confront him, for his sake and your own.\\xa0 For \\u201cif he listens to you, you have won over your brother\\u201d \\u2013 you will have brought him back to the fold.\\xa0 However, \\u201cif he doesn\\u2019t listen,\\u201d the Lord calls us further: \\u201cTake one or two others along with you.\\u201d\\xa0 Bring objective witness to sway your loved one from evil.\\xa0 And \\u201cif he refuses to listen to them, tell the Church.\\u201d\\xa0 Ah, the Church!\\xa0 The keeper of the Spirit of Truth and the flame of wisdom which no man can deny.\\xa0 What teaching the Lord has left with Her!\\xa0 And what power: \\u201cWhatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.\\u201d\\xa0 For here are those \\u201cgathered together in [Jesus\\u2019] name,\\u201d and He indeed is \\u201cin the midst of them.\\u201d\\xa0 And if the soul \\u201crefuses to listen even to the Church,\\u201d what hope has it of finding salvation?\\xa0 But at least you have done all you can. All must be done in justice and in love to save the soul straying in this land.\\xa0 This is why the Lord has left us the Church; this is why He has left His Spirit \\u2013 and we are called to speak His Truth, that salvation might come to all. Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "No Paranoia" from Cleansing Human Frailty, fourth album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, help us to love one another, to bring one another to repentance that all might sing your praise. YHWH, help us to love others as we should, to speak the truth to them; let our concern be the salvation of souls, as it is for your Son. LORD, you institute the Church to be your representative on earth, and you call each member to reflect your love and your glory; your justice must be the desire of every soul.\\xa0 And we must show that desire in our relations with others, in our concern for their welfare.\\xa0 Who could stand by and let his brother perish if he truly loves him?\\xa0 And will not sin cause the death of any who will not repent?\\xa0 And so, what should we do but speak out in your Name? Let our tongues not be silent as we see others fall.\\xa0 Especially your pastors we pray for this day, that they not be afraid to chastise their flock, to warn them against wayward paths.\\xa0 And let their words be heeded, LORD \\u2013 save souls from dying in their sin, that all might praise your holy NAME.'