September 6
23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
The 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time invites the faithful to a deeper reflection on Christian living in the heart of daily life. Falling partway through the long stretch of Ordinary Time, this Sunday is not marked by any special feast, but instead celebrates the ongoing journey of discipleship and openness to God’s word. The Gospel readings often speak of challenges in community life or discipleship—such as brotherly correction, humility, and reconciliation—calling Christians to genuine love and active concern for one another.
Ordinary Time in the Church’s calendar is far from 'ordinary' in the everyday sense. Rather, it is a season for growing in faith, hope, and charity through regular participation in the Eucharist, attentive listening to Scripture, and living according to Christ’s teachings. The liturgy emphasizes perseverance, with green vestments symbolizing spiritual growth and renewal. Throughout this time, the Church’s prayers and readings encourage the faithful to recognize God’s action in the simple rhythms of life and to respond generously to Christ’s call. Together, the community prays for the grace to bear witness to the Gospel, seeking God’s kingdom amidst daily challenges.
The 23rd Sunday invites believers to deepen their practice of forgiveness, charity, and self-giving as they walk the path of holiness—reminding all that sanctity is not only found in extraordinary events but in the faithful living of ordinary days.
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Questions about 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Novus Ordo Missae)
The liturgical day
Mass readings
First readingEz 33, 7-9
The word of the Lord was addressed to me:
“Son of man, I have made you a watchman
for the house of Israel.
Whenever you hear a word from my mouth,
you shall warn them on my behalf.
If I say to the wicked, ‘You shall die,’
and you do not warn him,
if you do not speak out to dissuade him from his evil conduct,
that wicked man shall die for his sin,
but I will hold you accountable for his blood.
On the other hand, if you warn the wicked to turn from his conduct,
and he does not turn from it,
he shall die for his sin,
but you will have saved your own life.”
– The word of the Lord.
PsalmPs 94 (95), 1-2, 6-7ab, 7d-8a.9
Come, let us shout with joy for the Lord,
let us acclaim our Rock, our salvation!
Let us come before him giving thanks,
with songs of praise let us acclaim him!
Come in, let us bow down, let us prostrate ourselves,
let us adore the Lord who made us.
Yes, he is our God;
we are the people he leads.
Today, will you listen to his voice?
“Do not harden your hearts as you did in the desert,
where your fathers tested and challenged me,
even though they had seen my deeds.”
Second readingRm 13, 8-10
Brothers and sisters,
owe nothing to anyone,
except the debt of mutual love,
because the one who loves others
has fulfilled the Law.
The Law says:
You shall not commit adultery,
you shall not kill,
you shall not steal,
you shall not covet.
These commandments and all the others
are summed up in this saying:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Love does no harm to a neighbor.
Therefore, the full accomplishment of the Law,
is love.
– The word of the Lord.
GospelMt 18, 15-20
At that time,
Jesus said to his disciples:
“If your brother has sinned against you,
go and point out the fault to him between you and him alone.
If he listens to you, you have won your brother.
If he does not listen to you,
take with you one or two others,
so that every case may be settled
on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
If he refuses to listen to them,
tell it to the assembly of the Church;
if he also refuses to listen to the Church,
regard him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector.
Truly, I tell you:
whatever you bind on earth
will be bound in heaven,
and whatever you loose on earth
will be loosed in heaven.
In the same way, truly, I tell you,
if two of you on earth
agree about anything they ask for,
it will be granted to them by my Father in heaven.
For where two or three are gathered in my name,
I am there among them.”
– Let us acclaim the Word of God.
Liturgical texts: © AELF — aelf.org