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Lifelong Catechesis

Forming Catholic identity across generations
September 18, 2024
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Ordinary Time

For a large part of the liturgical year, we devote ourselves to listening to the mystery of Christ in all its aspects unfolded as we seek God's truth and understanding.

Sunday Readings and Backgrounds

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Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading I : Ezekiel 33:7-9

The wicked will not prosper.

  • Ezekiel is commissioned as a sentinel, with responsibility to warn God's people of impending danger.
  • God's message was sent to the people through the prophet Ezekiel.
  • The prophet must listen to God and deliver God's message and the people, for their own safety, must listen to the prophet and hear in the prophet's words the voice of God.

Reading II : Romans 13:8-10

Whoever loves his or her neighbor, fulfills the law.

  • The passage from the Letter to the Romans describes the unity demanded of Christians.
  • Love is the fulfillment of the Law.
  • The whole Law, in Hebrew Scriptures and in the New Testament, is summed up in love of neighbor and love of God.

Gospel : Matthew 18:15-20

When you join yourselves together in faith, I am with you.

  • The Gospel passage from Matthew contains practical advice for dealing with disagreements within the community and the theological foundation for this advice.
  • The meaning of "binding and loosing" is the power of admission and excommunication.
  • Today's passage gives the theological reason for such power. Where two or three are gathered together in unity, whether in prayer or deliberation, they will be heard by God.