23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

In the Lord’s Prayer we pray, “lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.” In the Act of Contrition we “firmly resolve to sin no more and to avoid whatever leads us to sin.”

Avoiding temptation is not easy. We need God’s help. We need to avoid temptation and we are called to help others do the same.

Our first reading for this Sunday speaks of our call to help others avoid sin. The Lord has appointed Ezekiel the prophet as a “watchman for the house of Israel.” We are all called to be prophets through baptism. Ezekiel was a “full-time” prophet. Not everyone is called to be a “full-time” prophet but everyone is called to share the Word of God in some way.

If the Lord gives us a message to warn the wicked of their sins, we are called to deliver the message. If we don’t, “the wicked shall die for his guilt.” and the Lord will hold us responsible for their death.

However, if we “warn the wicked…and he refuses to turn from his way, he shall die for his guilt, but you shall save yourself.” We are not responsible for their choice to sin but we are responsible for our decision to speak or not the Lord’s warning.

We pray that we have the courage to speak what the Lord tells us. We pray that the recipients listen and repent.

One question, do you speak up to help the other person or do you speak up to save your own neck?

The first reading speaks of helping people avoid sin. Unfortunately, not everyone will listen because they have hardened their hearts. In today’s gospel, Jesus tells us what to do if our brother has sinned against us.

The first step is to “go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.” Don’t rush to get others involved. Maybe there is a misunderstanding. Maybe they didn’t know how it made you feel.

If they don’t listen, Jesus says to take two or three others to help them understand. Only if they still don’t listen are you to “tell the church.” If they don’t listen to the church, treat them “as you a Gentile or a tax collector.“

Why go through these steps? Are you trying to prove yourself right or are you trying to help them understand the error of their ways so that they can repent and be saved?

If we warn others of their sin just to save our own neck, we are missing the bullseye. If we want to prove ourselves right, we are missing the bullseye. We may be doing something good but not entirely for the right reason.

What is the right reason?

Love.

Paul writes to the Romans today speaking of the commandments against adultery, killing, stealing, and coveting. It is important to keep these commandments. Why? Because these commandments “are summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love neighbor as yourself.“

Our motive should be “love.” We warn others of their sin out of love. We point others’ sins out because we love them. Because we love them, we want them to be saved.

Do you love others enough to ask God for the words and the courage to help lead others from sin?

Peace,

Fr. Jeff