Word Wide Open: The Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

First Reading (Ezekiel 33:7-9)

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel.

Thus says the LORD:

You, son of man, I have appointed watchman for the house of Israel;

when you hear me say anything, you shall warn them for me.

If I tell the wicked, “O wicked one, you shall surely die, ”

and you do not speak out to dissuade the wicked from his way,

the wicked shall die for his guilt,

but I will hold you responsible for his death.

But if you warn the wicked,

trying to turn him from his way,

and he refuses to turn from his way,

he shall die for his guilt,

but you shall save yourself.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? How should we talk about sin with others? Why do so many people not believe in sin?


Second Reading (Romans 13:8-10)

A reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans.

Brothers and sisters:

Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another;

for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.

The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery;

you shall not kill; you shall not steal; you shall not covet, ”

and whatever other commandment there may be,

are summed up in this saying, namely,

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 

Love does no evil to the neighbor;

hence, love is the fulfillment of the law.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? What is the best way to love one another? How do you love your neighbor as yourself?


Gospel (Matthew 18:15-20)

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew.

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.

Amen, I say to you,

whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven,

and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Again, amen, I say to you,

if two of you agree on earth

about anything for which they are to pray,

it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. 

For where two or three are gathered together in my name,

there am I in the midst of them.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this Gospel reading? How do we correct someone in a charitable way? According to Jesus, why is holding on to grudges so bad? Why is praying together so important?