This week’s Gospel message for Sunday, September 10th is from Matthew 18:15-20.
Jesus said to his disciples: “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that ‘every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church. If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector. . .For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
Reflection
“Jesus told his disciples that if a sinner will not listen to anyone and will not change the offending behavior, that they should ‘treat him [or her] as you would a Gentile or a tax collector’. Initially, this sounds like Jesus is encouraging the disciples to ostracize stubborn sinners. But let’s consider how Jesus treated Gentiles and tax collectors. He spent time with them, he responded to their needs, he healed them, he cared for them, he even called them to be his disciples.” SOURCE: Pastoral Patterns, Autumn 2023
DAILY READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday Colossians 1:24—2:3; Luke 6:6-11
Tuesday Colossians 2:6-15; Luke 6:12-19
Wednesday Colossians 3:1-11; Luke 6:20-26
Saint John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (Memorial) – As archbishop of Constantinople, he began a program of reform. He was uncompromising in political and ecclesiastical affairs. His enemies contrived to have him exiled, despite the efforts of the Holy See.
Thursday Numbers 21:4b-9; Philippians 2:6-11; John 3:13-17
The Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Feast) – This feast commemorates the finding of the true cross by Emperor Constantine’s mother, Helen, the dedication of the original Church of the Holy Sepulchre in 335, and Christ’s victory over death by his crucifixion and resurrection.
Friday 1 Timothy 1:1-2, 12-14; John 19:25-27
Our Lady of Sorrows (Memorial) – This memorial was started in 1668 by the Servite Friars and extended to the whole Western Church in 1814 by Pope Pius VII. The seven sorrows are: Simeon’s prophecy at the presentation of Jesus in the temple, the flight into Egypt, the disappearance of the boy Jesus in Jerusalem, the road to Calvary, the crucifixion, the removal from the cross, and the entombment.
Saturday 1 Timothy 1:15-17; Luke 6:43-49
Saints Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs (Memorial) – Cornelius was elected pope during the Decian persecution. He was arrested, banished, and died in exile. A few years later, under the Valerian persecution, Cyprian was also arrested, banished, and condemned to death.