Sunday between 4 and 10 September    

Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)

First Reading - Ezekiel 33.7-9

A reading from the book of the prophet Ezekiel. The Lord said to the prophet Ezekiel: I have called you to serve my people like the one who serves the city by keeping watch, from the city walls, to warn of approaching danger. You must warn the people now to turn from their wicked ways. If you do not warn them, they will die in their transgressions, and their blood will be on your hands. But if you do warn them, and they still do not turn from their wicked ways, they will die in their rebellion, but your life will be saved. This is the word of the Lord.

Second Reading - Romans 12.19-21

A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans. When you are wronged, do not seek revenge. Instead, leave room for the judgement of God. For the scripture says, ‘Retribution is mine; I will repay, says the Lord.’ So, as the scripture also says, if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for in doing this you are heaping burning coals on their heads. So do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. This is the word of the Lord.

Gospel - Matthew 18.15-20

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew. Jesus said, ‘If a fellow-disciple sins against you, point out the fault when the two of you are alone. And if that fellow-disciple listens, you have won that disciple back. But if that fellow-disciple will not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that everything may be confirmed by the word of two or three witnesses. If that fellow-disciple still refuses to listen, tell it to the church. And if that fellow-disciple refuses to listen even to the church, treat that disciple as you would treat an outsider or an enemy. Truly, I tell you, anything you resolve in this way on earth is resolved the same way in heaven. And truly, I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For whenever two or three are gathered together in my name, I am with them.’ This is the Gospel of the Lord.