Resources, Prayers, Games, and Lesson Plans
More Thoughts and Reflection Questions
Quotes and Social Media Graphics
Mass Readings for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
- First reading – Ezekiel 33:7-9: I appoint you as watchman for the house of Israel. If you fail to warn the wicked and they die in guilt, you're responsible. If you warn them and they don't turn, they die, but you're saved.
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9: Let us sing joyfully to the Lord, acclaiming our salvation, and coming into His presence with thanksgiving. But heed the warning not to harden our hearts, reflecting on past disobedience.
- Second reading – Romans 13:8-10: Owing love to one another fulfills the law. The commandments are summarized by loving your neighbor as yourself, for love does no evil and is the complete fulfillment of the law.
- Gospel – Matthew 18:15-20: If a brother sins, discuss it privately, then with witnesses if needed, and finally with the church. What is agreed on earth reflects in heaven, and where people gather in Jesus's name, he is present.
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.
Matthew 18:15
Themes for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
The readings for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A focus on a conversion of heart. We are encouraged to overcome sinfulness and to go beyond merely following the letter of the law and to truly love. And we are to support each other along the path to holiness and help each other overcome our sinfulness.
- Community Accountability: The gospel emphasizes the responsibility of the community in addressing conflicts and promoting accountability. This theme highlights the interconnectedness of believers and their role in supporting each other's spiritual journey.
- Divine Presence in Unity: Jesus' assurance of His presence when two or three gather in His name underscores the theme of divine presence within a united community. This highlights the significance of communal worship, prayer, and decision-making.
- Conversion of Heart: The passage underscores the importance of addressing conflicts and sins within the community. This theme resonates with the concept of conversion, as it invites individuals to examine their hearts, admit wrongdoing, and seek reconciliation.
- Sacrament of Reconciliation: Jesus' instructions about approaching a brother who has sinned mirror the principles of confession and reconciliation within the Church. This theme reflects the sacramental aspect of seeking forgiveness and restoring one's relationship with God and the community.
- Overcoming Hatred: The passage promotes a process that seeks to mend relationships rather than perpetuate hatred. This theme aligns with the idea of forgiving those who have wronged us, promoting forgiveness as a way to overcome animosity.
- Social Justice: The principle of addressing wrongs within the community reflects the broader concept of social justice. This theme emphasizes the importance of resolving conflicts to maintain harmony and promote justice among individuals.
- Spiritual Works of Mercy: The passage embodies several spiritual works of mercy, including "admonishing the sinner" and "instructing the ignorant." This theme highlights the practical application of spiritual works in daily life and the responsibility of guiding others toward righteousness.
See the Homilies and Reflections section and the More Thoughts section for further expansion on these readings and some reflection questions for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A.
Resources for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
The Watchman: Being Guardians of Truth
Together We’re Better Reflection
Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession)
The Book of Ezekiel: Prophetic Insights of Renewal
The Watchman: Being Guardians of Truth
The First Reading for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A is Ezekiel 33:7-9. In this passage, the Lord appoints Ezekiel as a watchman for Israel. He's instructed to warn the wicked to turn from their ways. If he fails to do so, their guilt is on him. The "The Watchman: Being Guardians of Truth" activity connects with Ezekiel 33:7-9. Through role-play and discussion, it modernizes the watchman's duty. Small groups navigate scenarios to understand the role's essence—warning others for their benefit. This links ancient teachings to current experiences, enabling young Catholics as truth guardians. It encourages practical insights, fostering reflection and action to embody this role.
Together We’re Better Reflection and Discussion Questions
The Gospel for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A is Matthew 18:15-20. It advises addressing a brother's sin privately, involving witnesses if necessary, and finally involving the church if needed. The "Together We’re Better Reflection" centers on Matthew 18:15-20. It ponders whether pointing out friends' faults, as Jesus suggests, is a wise approach. The reflection explores the idea of addressing each other's sins and its implications.
The Spiritual Works of Mercy
The Gospel for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A is Matthew 18:15-20. It guides addressing a brother's sin privately, involving witnesses if necessary, and engaging the church if needed. The Spiritual Works of Mercy aid in supporting one another on our faith journey. These works of charity encompass various acts through which we express our love. There are practical ways to practice these works, such as instructing the ignorant, counseling the doubtful, admonishing the sinner, comforting the sorrowful, forgiving injuries, bearing wrongs patiently, and praying for those who frustrate us. This aligns well with today's gospel.
Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession)
The gospel for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A is Matthew 18:15-20. It talks about dealing with someone's wrongdoing. First, discuss the matter privately. If that doesn't work, involve others to help resolve the issue. If it's still not resolved, seek guidance from the church. This advice is like confessing and making things right in the Church. The message is about asking for forgiveness and fixing relationships with God and the community. You might want to go for Confession together with your family or a youth group. Then, mark this special moment by enjoying a meal or doing something fun together.
Psychiatrist Icebreaker Game
In Matthew 18:15-20, Jesus outlines a process for conflict resolution within a community, stressing direct communication and involving others if necessary, alongside the power of collective prayer and his presence in group gatherings. Similarly, the game "Psychiatrist" mirrors these principles as participants work together to diagnose a shared issue through questions and group dynamics, fostering collaboration and unity. Both the Gospel passage and the game emphasize open dialogue, cooperation, and seeking solutions within a community. The Gospel's spiritual guidance aligns with the game's interactive approach, making the principles of Matthew 18:15-20 relatable and applicable in a lighthearted setting.
The Book of Ezekiel: Prophetic Insights of Renewal
The First Reading for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, presents Ezekiel 33:7-9, where God appoints Ezekiel as a watchman for Israel. The passage emphasizes Ezekiel's responsibility to warn the wicked of their ways, with the consequences of not doing so leading to their guilt and death. However, if Ezekiel does warn them and they remain unchanged, their judgment is on them, but Ezekiel saves himself. The Book of Ezekiel, found in the Old Testament, showcases the prophet's role as a messenger of God through vivid imagery and symbolic actions. Its themes of divine sovereignty, human unfaithfulness, and the promise of restoration resonate as Ezekiel conveys both warnings and a pathway to redemption.
Resources for Paul’s Letter to the Romans
The Second Reading for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A is Romans 13:8-10. It emphasizes owing love to others as the fulfillment of the law. The commandments, including those against adultery, killing, stealing, and coveting, are summarized in "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love avoids harm to the neighbor, thus fulfilling the law. The Letter to the Romans discusses salvation through faith in Jesus Christ over strict law adherence. Paul underscores universal sin and attaining righteousness through Christ's sacrifice. Grace and faith's role are central.
Resources for the Gospel of Matthew
The Gospel Reading for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A is Matthew 18:15-20. Jesus advises addressing a brother's sin privately. If he listens, you've won him over. If not, involve others, then the church. If he persists, treat him as a Gentile or tax collector. Jesus assures that decisions on earth reflect in heaven, and where two or three gather in his name, he's present. The Gospel of Matthew emphasizes Jesus' teachings in a clear and concise manner. From this Gospel, Catholics learn about love, forgiveness, and serving others. Jesus' example calls us to be compassionate and merciful.
Homilies and Reflections for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
Living the Debt of Love (Jeff Cavins)
Is It OK to Judge Someone? (Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Where There Is Right Relationship, There Is the Church (Fr. Richard Rohr)
Jeff Cavins reflects on the readings for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. He discusses how being debt-free is admirable, but as Christians, we owe others a debt of love. Paul's words in Romans 13:8 emphasize loving one another as fulfilling the law. Jeff emphasizes the importance of putting others first, even when they bother us, and letting go of grudges. He refers to Matthew 18:15-20, where Jesus instructs addressing conflicts directly, seeking resolution. Jeff reminds us that loving others means forgiving, and our love should mirror the Lord's love for us. He concludes by urging listeners to remember that they owe one another the same inexhaustible love that the Lord bestows upon them.
Father Mike Schmitz delves into the intricacies of judgment, exploring the balance between Jesus' commands to judge and not to judge. He emphasizes that while we shouldn't judge a person's heart, we're called to assess actions. Father Mike underscores that evaluating actions doesn't equate to condemnation; it's about making informed choices based on behavior. He addresses society's fear of judgment, linking it to a fractured sense of identity. However, for Christians grounded in their identity as beloved children of God, human judgment holds no sway. Instead, their focus remains on God's judgment and the dual responsibility of loving others and discerning actions with compassion and truth.
Where There Is Right Relationship, There Is the Church
Father Richard Rohr reflects on the Gospel message for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A. He emphasizes Jesus' guidance on addressing conflicts within relationships. Jesus instructs followers to communicate directly with someone who has wronged them rather than engaging in gossip or triangulation. Father Rohr underscores the significance of maintaining honest and loving relationships, as they define us. He interprets Jesus' concept of church as a gathering of two or three individuals united in love and trust, transcending religious affiliations. Father Rohr discusses forgiveness, highlighting its transformative power and its role in breaking the cycle of unforgiveness and hurt.
To Win Them Back
Scott Hahn reflects on the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A readings. He compares Ezekiel's role as a watchman over Israel with Jesus' establishment of His disciples as Church guardians. Jesus grants them powers to forgive sins, conditional on their communion with Him. The readings underscore the duty to correct sinners within the community, with accountability for their souls. This duty is rooted in love for others' salvation. Hahn highlights that correction should stem from care, not anger, and parallels this with the Psalm's message of urging sinners to heed God's voice and turn from false paths.
Judgment and Love
Bishop Robert Barron's homily on the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A delves into the balance between non-judgmentalism and righteous judgment. He emphasizes that Jesus' teaching doesn't prohibit all judgment, but rather condemns superiority and aggression. Barron discusses the misconception of non-judgmentalism and how it clashes with moral correction. He suggests a step-by-step approach for loving correction: addressing the issue privately, involving a few others, and seeking community support. This, he says, fosters love over judgment. Barron underscores the importance of intervening when behaviors are self-destructive while maintaining compassion. He concludes that this approach aligns with Jesus' teachings and promotes love within the community.
More Thoughts for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
Guidance for Navigating Conflict and Unity
The Gospel for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A centers on resolving conflicts within the Christian community. It's one of the few instances where Jesus explicitly mentions the term "church" in Matthew's Gospel. We catch glimpses of the challenges faced by the early Christian believers.
In Matthew 18:15-20, Jesus tackles a common issue: disputes among church members. He provides a method to handle conflicts fairly. First, address the matter privately. If unresolved, involve a few witnesses. Only then should the larger community step in. And if necessary, there's a provision for exclusion from the community.
Notably, Jesus doesn't shy away from the reality of disagreement in the church. He acknowledges the presence of conflict and mistakes and offers a practical approach to manage them. Crucially, the passage concludes with a message of assurance: Jesus is present within the community, guiding its actions. Decisions rooted in prayer are backed by divine support. Through this teaching, a framework for addressing disputes is established, with an underlying message of unity and divine guidance.
Embracing Accountability
The readings for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A also challenge us to look beyond our own happiness and embrace a deeper sense of responsibility for one another. If our focus remains solely on our own interests, we miss the core message. The call to assist those in need resonates strongly, urging us to extend a helping hand when others require support.
Equally significant is our obligation to confront corruption and injustice. Silence in the face of wrongdoing implicates us in it, both individually and as a society. This duty to voice our dissent applies not only to personal interactions but also to our engagement with broader societal issues.
To uphold moral integrity, we must not shy away from declaring, "that is wrong." This principle extends beyond personal encounters, reaching into the fabric of our communities and political systems. By speaking out against immorality, we take a stand against it, asserting our commitment to upholding what is right. This resonates with our individual responsibilities and our role in shaping the collective moral compass. In essence, these teachings urge us to cultivate a culture of accountability, where the pursuit of justice and righteousness prevails.
Reflection Questions for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
- How comfortable am I in confronting wrongdoing, whether in personal interactions or within my community?
- Reflect on any instances where I have witnessed or experienced conflict. What could have been done differently to address the situation in a fair and constructive manner?
- Consider the concept of community and its role in resolving conflicts. How can I contribute to creating an environment where disagreements are managed with respect and empathy?
- Are there any instances where I've prioritized my own interests over the well-being of others? How can I shift my perspective to embrace a deeper sense of responsibility for those around me?
- Think about the call to assist those in need. Are there specific actions I can take to extend support to others, either in my immediate circle or within a broader context?
- Reflect on the impact of silence in the face of injustice. Have there been situations where I chose not to speak up? What can I learn from these experiences and how can I take a more proactive approach moving forward?
- Consider the role of accountability in shaping our communities and societies. How can I contribute to fostering a culture where ethical standards are upheld, both in personal interactions and within broader systems?
- Are there any injustices in my community that require my attention? How can I initiate or participate in efforts to address these issues?
- Reflect on the notion of sacrifice in fostering justice. What personal comforts or conveniences might I need to relinquish in order to make a positive impact on my community?
Quotes and Social Media Graphics for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
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