SUNDAY, TWENTY THIRD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Ez 33: 7-9 Ps 95: 1-2, 6-9 Rom 13: 8-10 Mt 18: 15-20
CALLED TO WATCH, CALLED TO LOVE
The Word of God this Sunday presents us with a challenging yet deeply beautiful truth: love is not merely a feeling; it is a responsibility. Through the prophet Ezekiel, the teaching of St. Paul, and the words of Jesus Himself, we are reminded that every Christian is called both to watch and to love; to remain attentive to God and to care for the spiritual well-being of one another. In the first reading, God appoints Ezekiel as a watchman for Israel. A watchman stands alert, scanning the horizon for danger. If he sees danger approaching and remains silent, he becomes accountable for the loss that follows. God therefore entrusts Ezekiel with a sacred duty: to speak His word faithfully, even when it may be unwelcome. At first glance, this responsibility seems to belong only to prophets.
Yet through baptism, every Christian shares in Christ’s prophetic mission. We too are called to be watchmen, but not over cities or kingdoms, but over our own hearts and, in a spirit of charity, over the communities to which we belong. We are called to notice when a brother or sister is struggling, drifting away from God, or burdened by sin. Love does not close its eyes to danger. Yet there is a great difference between vigilance and judgment. This is where the second reading becomes essential. Love is the fulfilment of the law because genuine love always seeks the good of the other. Christian concern is never rooted in superiority or control. It springs from a heart that desires another person’s growth in holiness and happiness. The saints of Carmel understood this deeply. St. Teresa of Avila often insisted that progress in the spiritual life depends upon humility and self knowledge. Before we attempt to guide another, we must first allow God to reveal our own weaknesses. A soul that knows its need for mercy becomes gentle in offering correction. It speaks not as a judge but as a fellow pilgrim.
This wisdom sheds light on the Gospel. Jesus teaches a path of fraternal correction that begins quietly and personally. The goal is not to expose, embarrass, or defeat another person. The goal is reconciliation. Jesus desires that relationships wounded by sin be healed through honest conversation and patient charity. How different this approach is from the spirit of our age. We live in a culture where criticism is often public and swift, while forgiveness can be slow and reluctant. Social media encourages exposure rather than encounter. Jesus proposes another way: the way of personal dialogue, discretion, and sincere concern for the other person’s dignity.
For Carmelites, this Gospel carries an additional invitation. Before speaking to another, we must first enter the silence of prayer. Elijah encountered God not in the wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a gentle whisper. The Carmelite learns that every important word should emerge from a listening heart. If correction is not first purified by prayer, it can easily become harsh or self-righteous. But when it is born of prayer, it can become an instrument of healing. St. Thérèse of Lisieux understood that true charity often consists in small acts of patience, hidden sacrifices, and persistent prayer for others. She knew that souls are changed not merely by arguments but by grace. Her “little way” reminds us that love is often most powerful when it is humble.
The Gospel concludes with one of Christ’s most consoling promises: “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am amidst them.” These words remind us that reconciliation is never merely a human achievement. Christ Himself is present among those who seek unity and peace. Whenever believers come together in prayer, forgiveness, and mutual support, the Lord stands among them. This promise lies at the heart of Carmelite spirituality as every community is sustained specifically by the presence of Christ. Whether in a monastery, an OCDS community, a parish, or a family, relationships flourish when Christ remains at the centre.
Today’s readings invite us to examine our own lives. Do we watch over our hearts with vigilance? Do we care enough about others to tell the truth when necessary? Do we pray for those whom we find difficult? The watchman of Ezekiel, the charity of St. Paul, and the teaching of Jesus all point toward the same vocation. We are called to watch with loving concern. We are called to love with courage and commitment.
Response: O that today you would listen to his voice!
Harden not your hearts.
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