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Created: 06 September 2020

The Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year A

In today’s Gospel, Matthew 18: 15-20, Jesus offers a practical solution for disputes among the loved ones.

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. (Matthew 18: 15-17)

The main point of this Sunday’s Gospel is that we need each other, both for reconciliation and for good spiritual health. We are brothers and sisters of each other. And our God expects us to support, love and even correct one another when the time is appropriate.

Working with each other is not only a good way to achieve our goals in life; it is also the heart of what Jesus wants from all of us. It is what “church” mean. It is a place for all. We come together because of God’s love and the love among all members. We must help one another when and where help is needed.

Is it that the goal for our faith community – Holy Child Jesus Parish - that is for good spiritual health? All of us, who were members of three different communities, are now belonged to just one. We want our parish like a home for all with much love and care for each other - the parish that has many living witnesses for our loving God; the parish that will bring forth many vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

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. (Matthew 18: 19-20)

These words were from our Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that when two or three are gathered in the name of God, He is there in our midst. Let us join hands with each other for the good spiritual health of our parish.

Fr. Phi Nguyen