Medicine Hat, Holy Family Parish

09/03/2026

09/03/2026

The 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, September 6, 2026 Bulletin is now online at...https://holyfamilymh.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/BULLETN-2026-09-06.pdf

This Sunday’s Readings
First Reading
Ezekiel 33:7-9
The Son of Man is appointed as guardian of Israel.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 95:1-2,6-9
Song of praise to God, our salvation.

Second Reading
Romans 13:8-10
The Law is summarized in the commandment to love your neighbor as yourself.

Gospel Reading
Matthew 18:15-20
Jesus teaches his disciples how to settle disputes in the Church.

Background on the Gospel Reading

Today’s Gospel reading is taken from a chapter of Matthew’s Gospel, which is sometimes called the “discourse on the Church” or the “church order” discourse. In this part of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus speaks more directly about matters of Church discipline and order. In today’s reading we find one of only three instances in which Jesus uses the word church in Matthew’s Gospel. In Matthew’s record of Jesus’ teaching, we can hear echoes of the kinds of issues faced by the early Christian community.

In the first part of the “discourse on the Church” (Matthew 18:1-14), Matthew addresses the Christian community’s concerns about rank. Jesus responds to the disciples’ question about who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus indicates that those who wish to enter the kingdom of heaven must be like children, and he cautions those leaders who might lead these “little ones” astray. He also responds with the parable of the lost sheep, indicating how God will seek out and bring back those “little ones” who have strayed.

In today’s Gospel reading, Matthew 18:15-20, Jesus addresses a common occurrence in the Christian community: a dispute between two members of the Church. Jesus outlines a procedure for settling such matters fairly. The victim should privately address the offender and attempt to resolve the dispute without outside involvement. If that fails, then the victim should bring two or three witnesses and confront the offender again. If the dispute is still unresolved, the matter should be brought to the attention of the entire community. If the offender refuses to adhere to the reparations prescribed by the community, then Jesus suggests that the offender may be expelled from the Church.

Jesus does not discourage disagreement within the community of the Church; he acknowledges the reality of conflict and error and offers his disciples a means for addressing such matters. It is in the conclusion to this teaching that the message of hope is found: Jesus is present with the community and will guide the community in its relations. If decisions are taken in prayer, then the community can be assured of God’s assistance.

Taken from... https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/liturgical-year/sunday-connection/

08/27/2026

The 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, August 30th, 2026 Bulletin is now online at...https://holyfamilymh.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/BULLETN-2026-08-30-REVISED.pdf

This Sunday’s Readings
First Reading
Jeremiah 20:7-9
Jeremiah laments but cannot fail to speak in God’s name.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 63:2-6,8-9
Our souls yearn for God.

Second Reading
Romans 12:1-2
Paul encourages the Romans to stay faithful to God.

Gospel Reading
Matthew 16:21-27
Jesus speaks of his Passion and rebukes Peter for his objection.

Background on the Gospel Reading

Today’s Gospel continues the story that began in last week’s Gospel. Simon Peter was called the “rock” upon which Jesus would build his Church, and yet Peter continues to show the limitations of his understanding of Jesus’ identity. Now that the disciples have acknowledged that Jesus is the Messiah, Jesus confides in them the outcome of his ministry: he must suffer and die in Jerusalem to be raised on the third day. Peter rejects this prediction, and Jesus rebukes him severely, calling him “Satan.” In opposing this aspect of Jesus’ mission, Peter shows that he is no longer speaking based on the revelation from God but as a human being. Jesus then teaches all of the disciples about the difficult path of discipleship: to be Christ’s disciple is to follow in his way of the cross.

Peter could not yet understand what it meant to call Jesus the Messiah. It is unlikely that the other disciples understood any better. Messianic expectations were a common aspect of first-century Judaism. Under Roman occupation, many in Israel hoped and prayed that God would send a Messiah to free the Jews from Roman oppression. The common view was that the Messiah would be a political figure, a king that would free Israel from Roman rule. This is perhaps what Peter envisioned when he was led to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. In this passage, however, Jesus is beginning to teach his disciples that he would be the Messiah in a different way.

Jesus would be more like the suffering servant described by the prophet Isaiah than the political liberator. Those who would be Jesus' disciples would be called to a similar life of service. Perhaps this is what Peter feared most in Jesus’ prediction of his Passion. He whom Jesus had called “rock” would also be called upon to offer himself in sacrifice and service to others. Christian leaders today are still called to sacrifice and serve others as Jesus did.

Taken from... https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/liturgical-year/sunday-connection/