Welcomes You

Online Giving

Message from the desk of the Pastor:

THE TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Sunday, September 6, 2026

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.

Family Connection

Conflict and disagreements are a natural part of family life. Yet, within our family,    we have an important opportunity to learn how to resolve disagreements fairly by treating people with love and respect.

As you gather as a family this week, discuss the procedures for resolving        disputes in your family. What kinds of things produce disagreements in your      family? Do children frequently request the assistance of the adults when a disagreement arises? How do the adults respond? In today’s Gospel, Jesus      teaches his disciples the way in which they are to handle conflict within the    Christian community of the Church. Read together this Gospel, Matthew 18:15-20. Invite family members to summarize the steps that Jesus proposes for resolving conflict. How might today’s Gospel inform your family’s handling of disagreements?  If you have time, your family might choose to role play how Jesus’ teaching about conflict resolution might be applied to a disagreement that sometimes occurs in  your household.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus also promises that he will help those who pray to him        with their needs. Pray together that each member of your family will learn to      handle conflict in a Christian manner. Pray together the Peace Prayer of                  Saint Francis.