Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

September 3, 2026

The following message by Sister Maria Delaney, SNDdeN was provided by the SNDdeN Congregational Mission Office:

Matthew 18: 15-20

Eucharistic liturgies are communal experiences. We come together as a community of believers, surrounded by a faithful “cloud of witnesses”. Yet many times, we are present simply because attending has become part of our routine, and we do not pay particular attention to our surroundings. This week, the readings offer us two exhortations and a word of reassurance from Jesus.

In this era of major catastrophes and widespread injustices, it can be difficult to know how to respond. Some people react instinctively to news – elated when it is good and dejected when it is bad. It is especially easy to feel helpless when suffering seems distant from our own local community.

The first exhortation comes from Psalm 95: “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” It is tempting to turn away from the problems of the world because we each have difficulties of our own and only so much energy. Yet none of us wants to be hard-hearted. The psalm asks us to pay attention: to listen for God’s voice and remain open to the needs of others.

The second exhortation comes from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Paul reminds us that “love does no evil to the neighbor; hence, love is the fulfillment of the law.” We pray, both privately and with our community of believers, for grace to sustain loving relationships with those with whom we share our lives: family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers.

At the end of the Gospel, Jesus offers a profound reassurance: “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” These words underscore why we need to remain connected to the people who have been placed in our lives. Whether we are happy, sad, or angry; whether we are rejoicing, ailing, or failing, Jesus is in our midst. He is present to us, often in ways we cannot fathom.

Pay attention! Listen to his voice! Love your neighbor! Recognize Christ in your midst!