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Reflection on the Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Times

By Pat Rampolla

The readings for this Sunday:

Ezekiel 33:7-9

Romans 13:8-10

Matthew 18:15-20

As I reflected on the readings for this Sunday, I was struck by the opening prayer for today’s Liturgy: “Lord Our God, in you, justice and mercy meet”. For me, that phrase set the theme for all the readings and the challenge to live our lives negotiating that delicate balance between justice and mercy.

In the first reading, Ezekiel was called to watch and warn the community about their evil ways. As Rev. Roger Karban says in his commentary on this reading: “The watchman image conveys a picture of someone out in front, ahead of everyone else, in a position to see what others will only see later.” ( If you would like to receive his commentaries, now that they are no longer available in the Pittsburgh Catholic, you can contact Fellowship of southern Illinois Laity, P.O. Box 31, Belleville, IL, 62222. They will send you his reflections for a donation.)

Back to the watchman(person) image. Isn’t that what a prophet is supposed to be.? To be out in front, warning, encouraging, challenging us to move out of our comfortable little holes that we have dug so that we don’t have to deal with the “chaos” and “messiness” of the real world. Edwina Gately, in her remarks to the Sisters and Associates of Divine Providence during their Annual Assembly in August, reminded us that God is always there seducing us with wine and fruit and all kinds of goodies to come out of our holes.

Ezekiel was called, as we are, to “be out front” on issues that deeply affect our beloved Church and world. But Ezekiel was reminded, at least according to my reading, not to judge or condemn those who were reluctant to change. That was left up to Yahweh.

Paul issues us a very strong directive that really sums up all the commandments. “Love does no evil to the neighbor.” Aren’t we tempted, especially in these chaotic times(and when has it not been chaotic), to wish evil on our enemies, those we believe are committing evil in God’s name? How does mercy and justice dwell in our hearts?

In the Gospel reading from Matthew, Jesus gives us responsibility for the spiritual well-being of the community. This reinforces Ezekiel’s challenge to be out in front , speaking the truth with love, as we have prayerfully discerned it, in spite of the risks involved.