Project BLACK MAMBA: XXIII Sunday in Ordinary Time

'Tis the Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time: Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of This Week
Mass Readings—Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
The Book of Ezekiel, chapter thirty-three, verses seven, eight, & nine;
Psalm Ninety-five, verses one & two, six & seven, & eight & nine;
The Letter to the Romans, chapter thirteen, verses eight, nine, & ten;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter eighteen, verses fifteen thru twenty.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):

Friends, in today's Gospel Jesus tells us to speak directly to a person who has offended us. I know it is exceptionally difficult, but going to the person directly is both productive and spiritually up-lifting. It has at least a fighting chance of accomplishing something, and it confirms you in love.

Suppose the person blows you off, even lashes out at you. You are then encouraged to bring "one or two others" into the conversation. Perhaps the person will see the point and get over his defensiveness.

Now suppose he doesn't listen even to this group? Then tell your church. Today, we might say the pastor and his team or perhaps some of the leading families in the parish. Suppose he doesn't listen even to the church? Then the Lord recommends ongoing compassion and prayer: "treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector." But remember how Jesus relates in love to Gentiles and tax collectors. Finally, the wonderful word on prayer: "wherever two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them." Pray together with one or two others for the conversion of a sinner.

Video reflection by Father Greg Friedman, O.F.M.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Mass Journal: Week 37
Reflection by Matthew Kelly, founder of the Dynamic Catholic Institute:

Catholicism is not a lifeless set of rules & regulations; it is a lifestyle. Catholicism is a dynamic way of life designed by God to help you explore your incredible potential.

Otherwise, 10 September would be the festival of Saint Aelia Pulcheria, Virgin (circa 398-453, A.K.A. Empress Pulcheria of the Eastern Roman Empire): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Finnian of Movilla, Bishop & Abbot (circa 495-589, A.K.A. Finbarr): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the festival of Two Hundred Five Martyrs of Japan (died 1598-1632), martyred in the reigns of the shōgun Tokugawa Ieyasu, Tokugawa Hidetada, & Tokugawa Iemitsu: Martyrs-link & Wikipedia-link CCV.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Ambrose Barlow, Priest & Martyr, O.S.B. (1585-1641), martyred in the reign of the king Charles I, one of the Forty Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link XL.