Letters From Home

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows by Dr. John Bergsma.

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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross by Ms. Joan Watson.

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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for the Memorial of St. John Chrysostom by Dr. John Bergsma.

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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Tuesday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time by Dr. Shane Owens.

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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Monday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time by Dr. Scott Hahn.

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Readings:
Ezekiel 33:7–9
Psalm 95:1–2, 6–9
Romans 13:8–10
Matthew 18:15–20

As Ezekiel is appointed watchman over the house of Israel in today’s first Reading, so Jesus in the Gospel today establishes His disciples as guardians of the new Israel of God, the Church (see Galatians 6:16).

He also puts in place procedures for dealing with sin and breaches of the faith, building on rules of discipline prescribed by Moses for Israel (see Leviticus 19:17–20; Deuteronomy 19:13). The heads of the new Israel, however, receive extraordinary powers—similar to those given to Peter (see Matthew 16:19). They have the power to bind and loose, to forgive sins and to reconcile sinners in His name (see John 20:21–23).

But the powers He gives the Apostles and their successors depends on their communion with Him. As Ezekiel is only to teach what he hears God saying, the disciples are to gather in His name and to pray and seek the will of our heavenly Father.

But today’s readings are more than a lesson in Church order. They also suggest how we’re to deal with those who trespass against us, a theme that we’ll hear in next week’s readings as well.
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.

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, and the rock of our salvation.

Lecturas:
Ezequiel 33, 7-9
Salmo 95, 1-2.6-9
Romanos 13, 8-10
Mateo 18, 15-20

Así como en la primera lectura de hoy Ezequiel es designado centinela sobre la casa de Israel, Jesús establece a sus discípulos como guardianes del nuevo Israel de Dios -la Iglesia- en el Evangelio de este día (cf. Ga 6,16). 

También establece procedimientos en el caso de pecados en el caso de pecados y para faltas de fe, basados en la disciplina que Moisés proscribió a Israel (cf. Lv 19,17-20; Dt 19,13). Sin embargo, los jefes del nuevo Israel reciben poderes extraordinarios, similares a los que se le dieron a Pedro (cf. Mt 16,19). Tienen la potestad de atar y desatar, de perdonar los pecados y reconciliar a los pecadores en su Nombre (cf. Jn 20,21-23).

Pero los poderes que Cristo les da a los apóstoles y sus sucesores dependen de su comunión con Él.  Así como Ezequiel solo debe enseñar lo que escucha decir a Dios, los discípulos han de congregar en su Nombre, orar y buscar la voluntad del Padre celestial.

Pero las lecturas de hoy son más que una lección sobre el orden de la Iglesia. Nos sugieren además cómo debemos tratar a los que nos ofenden, un tema sobre el cual también escucharemos en las lecturas de la próxima semana.

Es de notar que, tanto el Evangelio como la primera lectura, asumen que los creyentes tenemos el deber de corregir a los pecadores que están entre nosotros.  A Ezequiel incluso se le dice que dará cuentas por sus almas si no les habla e intenta corregirlos.

Esto es el amor que le debemos a nuestro prójimo, según nos dice hoy San Pablo en su epístola. Amar al prójimo como a nosotros mismos significa dar una importancia vital a su salvación. Como Jesús dice, debemos hacer cualquier esfuerzo para ganar nuevamente a nuestros hermanos y hermanas, para hacerlos regresar de los falsos caminos.

No debemos nunca corregir al otro con enojo o con deseos de castigar. Más bien nuestro mensaje debe ser como el del salmo de hoy: urgir al pecador a que escuche la voz de Dios, a no endurecer su corazón, a recordar que Él es quien nos ha hecho, la Roca de nuestra salvación.

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for the Memorial of St. Peter Claver by Mr. Clement Harrold.

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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Dr. John Bergsma.

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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Thursday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time by Ms. Joan Watson.

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