09/05/2026
23RD SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME YEAR A, 2026.
THEME: WHEN YOU SEE SOMETHING SAY SOMETHING
Readings:
Ezekiel 33:7–9
Psalm 95:1–2, 6–9
Romans 13:8–10
Matthew 18:15–20
Holy mother of the church reminds us this weekend one of the aspects of our lives as Christians that we might have overlooked for sometime now, so that we go back and assume responsibility. Are you aware that God has put you and I as a WATCHMAN over your own life and most importantly others? Watchman on the city walls or out of the hills formed part of the defense system in the past. As they remained at their post, they could see from afar than those who are not at the same height with them.
And their role is to alert the community the impending danger when they see one, so that they can prepare and meet their adversaries coming to attack them. If a watchman sleeps at his post, he puts himself and his community in danger. Many Christians have shelved their responsibilities and are now sleeping because of fear, gentility, among others and they put themselves and their fellow Christians in danger. We think that we are minding our business. But that is exactly what God is talking about to the prophet Ezekiel. You are responsible!
As Ezekiel is appointed watchman over the house of Israel in today’s first Reading, so Jesus in the Gospel of today establishes His disciples as guardians of the new Israel of God, the Church ( Galatians 6:16). Like Ezekiel, we must be willing to accept corrections first from the community leaders, parishioners from priests, priests from bishops, students from teachers, children from parents etc.
Jesus in the gospel also puts in place procedures for dealing with sin and breaches of the faith, building on rules of discipline prescribed by Moses for Israel (Leviticus 19:17–20; Deuteronomy 19:13). The heads of the new Israel, however, receive extraordinary powers—similar to those given to Peter ( Matthew 16:19). They have the power to bind and loose, to forgive sins and to reconcile sinners in His name ( John 20:21–23).
But the powers He gives the Apostles and their successors depend on their communion with Him. As Ezekiel is only to teach what he hears God saying, so the disciples are to gather in His name and to pray and seek the will of our heavenly Father. We are not to say what we want to say. We should speak only when God has given us something to say."... when you hear me say something...."
But today’s readings are more than a lesson in Church order. They also suggest how we’re to handle those who trespass against us, a theme that we’ll hear in next week’s readings as well. That of the disciples was the sacramental aspect of our Christian life.
Notice that both the Gospel and the First Reading presume that believers have a duty to correct sinners in our midst. Ezekiel is even told that he will be held accountable for their souls if he fails to speak out and try to correct them. You have a duty around your neck. You have to stand up to correct the wrongs around you that you see.
This is the love that Paul in today’s Epistle says we owe to our neighbors. To love our neighbors as ourselves is to be vitally concerned for their salvation. We must make every effort, as Jesus says, to win our brothers and sisters back, to turn them from the false paths.
We should never correct out of anger or a desire to punish. Instead, our message must be that of today’s Psalm—urging the sinner to hear God’s voice, not to harden their hearts, and to remember that He is the one who made us, the rock of our salvation. May the merciful God grant us His graces for us to play our roles well as WATCHMEN. Amen. Peace!!!
Rev. Fr. Dominic Y. Afrifa
