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The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, September 8, 2002 The Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word: Ezekiel 33:7-9 Psalm 95:1-2,6-9 Romans 13:8-10 Matthew 18:15-20 A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture: Who is today's "watchman" for the house of Israel? During a period in the Old Testament, the prophet Ezekiel was appointed by God to be Israel's "watchman". He was entrusted with the solemn responsibility for dissuading the wicked man from his way. Like every human being, Ezekiel was given a choice (there's that word again). He could either do as he was commanded or choose not to. If he didn't heed the word of God he was told that he would be responsible for even the wicked man's death. In the New Testament, Jesus gives the same "watchman" responsibilities to the apostles. He tells them they must correct their brother when he is at fault. At first, it seems he calls them to be gentle and considerate so as not to embarrass or make hard of heart the wrongdoer. However, if the wrongdoer wouldn't listen they were not just to "drop it", but summon others who would try to convince the wrongdoer to change. If even that didn't work the apostles were still not "off the hook", but were to submit the wrongdoer to the church so that his errant ways might be corrected. Only then, could the disciple consider himself exempted of his responsibility to change his brother's erring ways. It must be the same with us. We are the church, the present day disciples of Jesus. We are a remnant of the house of Israel, a chosen people. We are the "watchmen" for our times and have a grave responsibility to help illuminate the wrong doers of our day. We must arm ourselves with the wisdom and courage of the Holy Spirit so that we might fulfill our responsibility as "watchmen." Dearest Lord, You have planted Your love in my heart and put Your words on my lips. Please help me remember that I am responsible not just for my own salvation. I too am a "watchman"; I am my brother's keeper; I have a responsibility. I beg You Lord to give me Your grace so that none might be lost because of me. Amen. - Donna Raye Nelson (1993) YOU CAN HELP to evangelize the Word of God: Please recommend our website to your friends and Catholic webmasters at: http://www.borg.com/~joachim/DailyMeds.html (case sensitive) BLOG? The meditations are also available at our new Blog at: http://dailymed.blogspot.com ARCHIVED Meditations: http://www.abcsoffaith.com/quiet/quietplace.html and at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] FOR ALL COMMUNICATIONS, including subscribe/unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] The FINE PRINT: (c)1986-2002 The Way, The Truth, The Life. Permission granted to make reprints of the meditations or to post on any web page, except for profit. Scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible with Revised New Testament and Revised Psalms (c)1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. and are used by permission of the copy-right owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.Text from the New American Bible: http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/index.htm Lives of the Saints: http://www.christdesert.org/public_texts/martyrology/ |
Title: Meditation: Sunday, September 8, 2002
