HOMILY FOR THE 23RD SUNDAY OF THE ORDINARY TIME — YEAR A
HOMILY FOR THE 23RD SUNDAY OF THE ORDINARY TIME — YEAR A
HOMILY THEME: WHERE TWO OR THREE ARE GATHERED IN MY NAME, I SHALL BE THERE WITH THEM
BY: Fr. Casmir Nkamuke
Ezk 33: 7-9; Rom 13: 8-10; Mtt 18: 15-20
Today, we are reminded that as Christians, we all belong to one family of the people of God. Also, we are reminded that as members of this unique family, we are duty bound to rebuke, correct and encourage each other.
In his dialogue with Ezekiel, God reminds him of the importance of confronting the wicked with his evil deed and encouraging such a person to repent of his deeds. When God´s messenger refuses to call a sinner´s attention to his sin, he shares the responsibility for the consequences of such sins.
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Saint Paul admonishes the Christians in Corinth to live worthy lives, avoiding debts and growing in mutual love. Love, for him, is the answer to every Christian commandment and a necessary requisite for living a fulfilled life.
In the gospel, Jesus emphasizes the importance of reconciliation. A true Christian ought not to ostracize or alienate his offending brother. Rather, he ought to put serious efforts towards ensuring that he reconciles with him. Furthermore, he teaches us the importance of gathering in God´s name. God is always present among those who gather in his name.
Beloved in the Lord, the population expression coined by Fr Patrick Peyton “the family that prays together stays together” highlights the importance of unity and collaboration among all God´s children. We are all members of one unique family of God. As God´s children, the joy, pain, success and failure of each person ought to be the concern of everyone. We ought to fraternally rebuke and correct straying members of this unique family. Also, it is our duty to encourage and support each other. Most importantly, while individual pious acts and worships are good, the importance of communal worship cannot be overemphasized. When we gather together in God´s name to worship him and to seek his intervention, he will be with us to help us and to walk with us.
As we celebrate the world day for the care of the earth, may God´s help us to be mindful of our shared responsibility as members of one unique family. May he give us the grace to work together for the common good of our society. May he give us the courage to rebuke and correct those who go astray, to forgive and reconcile with those who offend us and to encourage and support those in need.
Happy Sunday!
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