'Tis the Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Tempus per annum, "time through the year"): Wikipedia-link.
Scripture of the Week
Mass Readings—Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
The Book of Ezekiel, chapter thirty-three, verses seven, eight, & nine;
Psalm Ninety-five (R/. eight), 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: Gospel reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches us how to correct a brother or sister. What is so rich here is the pursuit of the issue with a deep care for the person in question and also for the entire family of the Church (since love is our constant call). And then the wonderful conclusion: “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.”Video reflection by Father Greg Friedman, O.F.M. (U. S. C. of Catholic Bishops): Sunday Reflection.
This sounds, at first, like a total rejection, but then we recall how Jesus treated the Gentiles and tax collectors—eating with them, pursuing them, drawing them into his circle. There might be a moment of rejection and expulsion in the process of fraternal correction, but it is only provisional and only for the sake of eventual reconciliation.
St. Augustine, who was never afraid to speak the hard truth when necessary, followed the recommendations of Matthew 18 very concretely. Over the table in his episcopal residence where he dined with the priests of his diocese hung a sign that read: “If you speak ill of your brother here, you are not welcome at this table.”
Video reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire): Sunday Sermon.
Audio reflection by Scott Hahn, Ph.D. (St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology): Breaking the Bread.
Scripture Study—Day 91: Decapitation Rock, Day 35
The Second Book of Samuel, chapter twenty-four, verses fifteen thru nineteen, twenty-four, & twenty-five.
Commentary: Judgment on David's Sin (cont'd; 2 Samuel, 24:15-17) & David's Altar on the Threshing Floor (2 Samuel, 24:18-19, 24-25).
†
Otherwise, 6 September would be the festival of Saint Onesiphorus, Bishop & Martyr (died circa 60), Bishop of Corinth, previously Bishop of Colophon, martyred in the reign of the Roman emperor Nero: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.
Commentary: Wayback Machine.
'Twould also be the festival of Saint Eleutherius of Spoleto, Abbot (died circa 585), abbot of Saint Mark's Abbey: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link (List).
'Twould also be the festival of Saint Chagnoald of Laon, Bishop (died 633, also spelt Cagnou), sixth (VI) Bishop of Laon (624-633), a father of the First Council of Reims (circa 625): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Diocese-link & Wikipedia-link Laon, & Wikipedia-link Reims.
Commentary: Brother of Ss. Faro of Meaux [28 October] & Burgundofara [3 April].
'Twould also be the festival of Saint Magnus of Füssen, Priest & Abbot, O.S.B. (died circa 666, the "Apostle of the Allgäu;" also spelt Mangoald, Mang), founding abbot of Saint Mang's Abbey: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Saint Mang's.
'Twould also be the festival of Saint Gondulphus of Metz, Bishop (died 823), Bishop of Metz (816-823): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Diocese-link & Wikipedia-link Metz.
'Twould also be the festival of Blessed Thomas Tsugi, Priest & Martyr, S.J. (circa 1571-1627), martyred in the reign of the Japanese warlord Tokugawa Iemitsu, one of the Two Hundred Five Martyrs of Japan: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link Nihon & Wikipedia-link Nihon.
Papal Quote o' the Day
"Pray, pray, pray; prayer is the key to the treasures of God. it is the weapon of combat & of victory in every battle for good over evil."Saint Quote o' the Day
—Pope Ven. Pius XII (1876-1958, r. 1939-1958)
"Our labor here is brief, but the reward is eternal. Do not be disturbed by the clamor of the world, which passes like a shadow. Do not let false delights of a deceptive world deceive you."Mother Teresa Quote o' the Day
—St. Clare of Assisi, O.S.C. (1194-1253, feast: 11 August)
"We care for thousands of lepers. They are among the most unwanted, unloved, & neglected people. The other day one of our sisters was washing a leper covered with sores. A Muslim holy man was present, standing close to her. He said, 'All these years I have believed that Jesus Christ is a prophet. Today I believe that Jesus Christ is God since He has been able to give such joy to this sister, so that she can do her work with so much love.'"
—St. Teresa of Calcutta, M.C. (1910-1997, feast: 5 September)
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