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Linggo, Setyembre 6, 2026

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Ika-23 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon (A)

Ezekiel 33, 7-9
Salmo 94, 1-2. 6-7. 8-9

Panginoo’y inyong dinggin,
huwag n’yo s’yang salungatin.

Roma 13, 8-10
Mateo 18, 15-20

o kaya
Misa para sa Pangangalaga sa Sangnilikha

Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time (A) (Green)

UNANG PAGBASA
Ezekiel 33, 7-9

Pagbasa mula sa aklat ni propeta Ezekiel

Ito ang sinasabi ng Panginoon:

“Ikaw, Tao, ang ginagawa kong bantay ng Israel; anumang marinig mo sa akin ay sabihin mo sa kanila bilang babala. Kapag sinabi ko sa taong masama na siya’y mamamatay at di mo ito ipinaabot sa kanya upang makapagbagong-buhay, mamamatay nga siya sa kanyang kasamaan ngunit pananagutan mo ang kanyang kamatayan. Ngunit kapag binabalaan mo ang masama gayunma’y hindi rin nagbagong-buhay, mamamatay siyang makasalanan ngunit wala kang dapat panagutan.”

Ang Salita ng Diyos.

SALMONG TUGUNAN
Salmo 94, 1-2. 6-7. 8-9

Panginoo’y inyong dinggin,
huwag n’yo s’yang salungatin.

Tayo ay lumapit
sa ‘ting Panginoon, siya ay awitan,
ating papurihan
ang batong kublihan nati’t kalakasan.
Tayo ay lumapit,
sa kanyang harapan na may pasalamat,
Siya ay purihin,
ng mga awiting may tuwa at galak.

Panginoo’y inyong dinggin,
huwag n’yo s’yang salungatin.

Tayo ay lumapit,
sa kanya’y sumamba at magbigay-galang,
lumuhod sa harap nitong Panginoong sa ati’y lumalang.
Siya ang ating Diyos,
tayo ay kalinga niyang mga hirang,
mga tupa tayong inaalagaan.

Panginoo’y inyong dinggin,
huwag n’yo s’yang salungatin.

Ang kanyang salita ay ating pakinggan:
“Iyang inyong puso’y
huwag patigasin, tulad ng ginawa
ng inyong magulang
nang nasa Meriba, sa ilang ng Masa.
Ako ay tinukso’t
doon ay sinubok ng inyong magulang,
bagamat nakita
ang aking ginawang sila’ng nakinabang.”

Panginoo’y inyong dinggin,
huwag n’yo s’yang salungatin.

IKALAWANG PAGBASA
Roma 13, 8-10

Pagbasa mula sa sulat ni Apostol San Pablo sa mga taga-Roma

Mga kapatid, huwag kayong magkaroon ng sagutin kaninuman, liban sa saguting tayo’y mag-ibigan; sapagkat ang umiibig sa kapwa ay nakatutupad sa kautusan. Ang mga utos, gaya ng, “Huwag kang mangangalunya, Huwag kang papatay, Huwag kang magnanakaw, Huwag kang mag-iimbot,” at ang alinmang utos na tulad ng mga ito ay nabubuo sa ganitong pangungusap, “Ibigin mo ang iyong kapwa gaya ng iyong sarili.” Ang umiibig ay hindi gumagawa ng masama kaninuman, kaya’t ang pag-ibig ang kabuuan ng kautusan.

Ang Salita ng Diyos.

ALELUYA
2 Corinto 5, 19

Aleluya! Aleluya!
Pinagkasundo ni Kristo
ang Diyos at mga tao;
kaya’t napatawad tayo.
Aleluya! Aleluya!

MABUTING BALITA
Mateo 18, 15-20

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon ayon kay San Mateo

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: “Kung magkasala sa iyo ang kapatid mo, puntahan mo siya at kausapin nang sarilinan. Kapag nakinig siya sa iyo, ang pagsasama ninyong magkapatid ay napapanauli mo sa dati at napapanumbalik mo siya sa Ama. Ngunit kung hindi siya makinig sa iyo, magsama ka pa ng isa o dalawang tao upang ang lahat ng pinag-usapan ninyo ay mapatunayan ng dalawa o tatlong saksi. Kung hindi siya makinig sa kanila, sabihin mo ito sa pagtitipon ng simbahan. At kung hindi pa siya makinig sa natitipong simbahan, ituring mo siyang Hentil o isang publikano.

“Sinasabi ko sa inyo: anumang ipagbawal ninyo sa lupa ay ipagbabawal sa langit, at anumang ipahintulot ninyo sa lupa ay ipahihintulot sa langit.

“Sinasabi ko pa rin sa inyo: kung ang dalawa sa inyo rito sa lupa ay magkaisa sa paghingi ng anumang bagay sa inyong panalangin, ipagkakaloob ito sa inyo ng aking Amang nasa langit. Sapagkat saanman may dalawa o tatlong nagkakatipon dahil sa akin, naroon akong kasama nila.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

 

PANALANGIN NG BAYAN
Ika-23 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon (A)

Sinabi ni Hesus: kung saan nagtitipon ang dalawa o tatlo sa Kanyang pangalan, naroroon Siya. Sa pagtitiwalang Siya’y nakikinig, manalangin tayo:

Panginoon, dinggin Mo ang aming panalangin.

Nawa’y tayong Simbahan ay maging kasangkapan ng pakikipagkasundo at pagtanggap sa lahat. Manalangin tayo. Nawa’y ang ating mga pinuno ay magsumikap para sa pagkakaisa at pag-angat ng lahat. Manalangin tayo.

Nawa’y ang ating mga pinuno ay magsumikap para sa pagkakaisa at pag-angat ng lahat. Manalangin tayo.

Nawa’y ang mga mag-anak na Pilipino ay mamuhay sa pag-ibig ni Kristo at ituwid ang mali. Manalangin tayo.

Nawa’y ang mga kabataang Pilipino ay maging bukás sa Banal na Espiritu sa paghahanap ng katotohanan at kahulugan ng buhay. Manalangin tayo.

Ama naming nasa langit, pag-isahin Mo kami sa Iyong pag-ibig. Gawin Mo kaming tagapagdala ng Iyong awa at paghilom. Hinihiling namin ito sa pamamagitan ni Kristo na aming Panginoon. Amen.

Misa para sa Pangangalaga sa Sangnilikha

Karunungan 13, 1-9
Salmo 18, 2-3. 4-5

Ang langit ay nagdiriwang
sa Panginoong marangal.

o kaya
Salmo 103, 1-2a. 5-6. 10 at 12. 24 at 35k

Ang Poon ay natutuwa
sa kanyang mga nilikha.

Colosas 1, 15-20
Mateo 6, 24-34
o kaya Mateo 8, 23-27

Mga Pagbasa mula sa

UNANG PAGBASA
Karunungan 13, 1-9

Pagbasa mula sa aklat ng Karunungan

Napakahangal ang mga taong hindi nakakikilala sa Diyos.
Nakikita nila ang mabubuting bagay sa daigdig,
ngunit hindi nila makita ang Diyos na buhay.

Pinag-aaralan nila ang kanyang mga nilalang,
ngunit hindi nila nakilala siya, na lumalang sa mga ito.

Sa halip, ang apoy, ang mabilis na hangin, ang unos,
ang mga bituing naglalayag sa karurukan,
ang rumaragasang tubig at ang mga tala sa kalangitan,
ang kinikilala nilang mga diyos na namamahala sa daigdig.

Kung kinilala nilang diyos ang mga ito dahil sa kanilang angking kariktan,
dapat ay nalaman nilang higit na dakila ang lumalang sa lahat ng iyan, ang Panginoong Maykapal.

Siya ang pinagmulan ng lahat ng kagandahan, ang lumikha sa lahat ng mga ito.

Kung namangha sila sa kapangyarihan ng mga ito,
dapat nilang malaman na higit ang kapangyarihan ng lumikha sa mga ito.
Sapagkat sa pagmalas natin sa kalawakan at kagandahan ng sangnilikha,
makikilala natin ang Lumikha.

Baka naman hindi sila dapat sisihin nang lubos.
Maaaring nagsikap silang makilala ang Diyos,
ngunit naligaw lamang sa kanilang paghahanap.
Sa pag-aaral ng mga bagay na nasa paligid nila,
lubha silang naakit sa kagandahang kanilang nakita.

Hanggang sa naniwala silang diyos nga ang mga ito.
Ngunit wala silang tunay na maidadahilan sa kanilang pagkaligaw.
Kung nakayanan nilang pag-aralan ang sansinukob,
bakit di nila nakilala ang Panginoong maylikha sa lahat?

Ang Salita ng Diyos.

SALMONG TUGUNAN
Salmo 18, 2-3. 4-5

Ang mga tugon sa salmo ay sinunod sa Leksyonaryo.
Tingnan ang gabay mula sa CBCP para sa iba pang salin ng tugon.

Ang langit ay nagdiriwang
sa Panginoong marangal.

Ang langit ay naghahayag na ang Diyos ay dakila!
Malinaw na nagsasaad kung ano ang kanyang gawa!
Bawat araw, bawat gabi, ang ulat ay walang patlang,
patuloy na nag-uulat sa sunod na gabi’t araw.

Ang langit ay nagdiriwang
sa Panginoong marangal.

Walang tinig o salitang ginagamit kung sabagay,
at wala ring naririnig na kahit na anong ingay;
gayun pa man, sa daigdig ay laganap yaong tinig,
ang balita’y umaabot sa duluhan ng daigdig.

Ang langit ay nagdiriwang
sa Panginoong marangal.

o kaya:
Salmo 103, 1-2a. 5-6. 10 at 12. 24 at 35k

Ang Poon ay natutuwa
sa kanyang mga nilikha.

Pinupuri ka, Poong Diyos, nitong aking kaluluwa,
O Panginoong aking Diyos, kay dakila mong talaga!
Ang taglay mong kasuuta’y dakila ri’t marangal pa.
Nababatbat ka, Poong Diyos, ng liwanag na kay ganda.

Ang Poon ay natutuwa
sa kanyang mga nilikha.

Ikaw na rin ang nagtayo ng saligan nitong lupa,
matatag na ginawa mo’t hindi ito mauuga.
Ang ibabaw ng saliga’y ginawa mong karagatan,
at tubig din ang bumalot sa lahat ng kabundukan.

Ang Poon ay natutuwa
sa kanyang mga nilikha.

Lumilikha ka ng ilog na patungong kapatagan,
sa gilid ng mga burol, umaagos na marahan.
Sa naroong kakahuya’y umaawit ng masaya,
mga ibo’y nagpupugad sa malabay nilang sanga.

Ang Poon ay natutuwa
sa kanyang mga nilikha.

Sa daigdig, ikaw Poon, kay rami ng iyong likha
pagkat ikaw ay marunong kaya ito ay nagawa.
Sa dami ng nilikha mo’y nakalatan itong lupa.
Purihin ang Panginoon, purihin mo, kaluluwa!

Ang Poon ay natutuwa
sa kanyang mga nilikha.

IKALAWANG PAGBASA
Colosas 1, 15-20

Pagbasa mula sulat ni Apostol San Pablo sa mga taga-Colosas

Si Kristo ang larawan ng Diyos na di-nakikita, at siyang may kapangyarihan sa lahat ng nilikha. Sapagkat ang lahat ng nasa langit at nasa lupa, nakikita man o hindi, pati ang mga naghahari at namamahala, mga namumuno at may kapangyarihang espirituwal ay pawang nilikha ng Diyos sa pamamagitan niya at para sa kanya. Siya’y una sa lahat, at sa kanya nasasalalay ang kaayusan ng lahat ng bagay. Siya ang ulo ng Simbahan na kanyang katawan. Siya ang Una, ang panganay na Anak — ang unang nabuhay na muli upang siya ang maging pinakadakila sa lahat ng bagay. Ipinasiya ng Diyos na ang kanyang kalikasan ay manatili rin sa Anak, at inibig niyang ang sandaigdigan ay makipagsundo sa kanya sa pamamagitan ng Anak. Sa pamamagitan ng pagkamatay nito sa krus, nagkasundo nga ang Diyos at ang lahat ng nilikha sa langit at sa lupa.

Ang Salita ng Diyos.

ALELUYA
Salmo 103, 24

Aleluya! Aleluya!
Kay rami ng Iyong mga gawa, O Panginoon!
Nilikha Mo silang lahat sa karunungan.
Aleluya! Aleluya!

o kaya:
1 Mga Cronica 29, 11d. 12b

Aleluya! Aleluya!
lyo, O Panginoon, ang kaharian;
Ikaw ang naghahari sa lahat.
Aleluya! Aleluya!

MABUTING BALITA
Mateo 6, 24-34

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon ayon kay San Mateo

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: “Walang makapaglilingkod nang sabay sa dalawang panginoon sapagkat kapopootan niya ang isa at iibigin ang ikalawa, paglilingkuran nang tapat ang isa at hahamakin ang ikalawa. Hindi kayo makapaglilingkod nang sabay sa Diyos at sa kayamanan.

“Kaya’t sinasabi ko sa inyo: huwag kayong mabagabag tungkol sa pagkain at inumin na kailangan ninyo upang mabuhay, o tungkol sa damit na kailangan ng inyong katawan. Hindi ba’t ang buhay ay higit na mahalaga kaysa pagkain, at ang katawan kaysa pananamit? Masdan ninyo ang mga ibon: hindi sila naghahasik ni nag-aani o kaya’y nagtitipon sa banga. Gayunman, pinakakain sila ng inyong Amang nasa langit. Hindi ba’t higit kayong mahalaga kaysa mga ibon? Sino sa inyo ang makapagpapahaba ng kanyang buhay nang kahit isang oras sa pamamagitan ng kanyang pagkabalisa?

“At bakit kayo nababagabag tungkol sa pananamit? Isipin ninyo kung paano sumisibol ang mga bulaklak sa parang; hindi sila nagpapagal ni humahabi man. Ngunit ito ang sasabihin ko sa inyo: maging si Solomon ay hindi nakapagsuot ng kasingganda ng isa sa mga bulaklak na ito, bagamat napakariringal ang mga damit niya. Kung ang mga damo sa kabukiran, na buhay ngayon at kinabukasa’y iginagatong sa kalan, ay dinaramtan ng Diyos, kayo pa kaya? Kay liit ng pananalig ninyo sa kanya! Kaya’t huwag kayong mabalisa tungkol sa inyong kakanin, iinumin, o daramtin. Sapagkat ang mga bagay na ito ang kinahuhumalingan ng mga taong wala pang pananalig sa Diyos. Alam ng inyong Amang nasa langit na kailangan ninyo ang lahat ng ito. Ngunit pagsumakitan ninyo nang higit sa lahat ang pagharian kayo ng Diyos at mamuhay nang ayon sa kanyang kalooban, at ipagkakaloob niya ang lahat ng kailangan ninyo. Kaya, huwag ninyong ikababahala ang para sa araw ng bukas; saka na ninyo harapin kapag ito’y dumating. Sapat na sa bawat araw ang kanyang mga suliranin.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

o kaya:
Mateo 8, 23-27

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon ayon kay San Mateo

Noong panahong iyon,
sumakay si Hesus sa bangka,
kasama ang kanyang mga alagad.
Bumugso sa lawa ang isang malakas na unos
at halos matabunan ng mga alon ang bangka.
Ngunit natutulog noon si Hesus.
Kaya’t nilapitan siya ng mga alagad at ginising.
“Panginoon, tulungan ninyo kami!” sabi nila.
“Lulubog tayo!”
At sinabi niya sa kanila,
“Ano’t kayo’y natatakot?
Napakaliit naman ng pananalig ninyo!”
Bumangon siya,
sinaway ang hangin at ang dagat,
at tumahimik ang mga ito.
Namangha silang lahat at ang sabi,
“Anong tao ito? Kahit ang hangin at ang dagat
ay tumatalima sa kanya!”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

PANALANGIN NG BAYAN

Mga kapatid, sa pagdiriwang natin ng Panahon ng Paglikha, manalangin tayo sa Diyos, ang Maylalang ng lahat, upang maging tapat tayo sa pangangalaga sa daigdig na kanyang ipinagkatiwala sa atin.

Panginoon, dinggin mo ang aming panalangin.

Para sa Simbahan, upang akayin niya ang lahat sa pagpupuri sa Diyos at sa responsableng pangangalaga sa kanyang sangnilikha, manalangin tayo sa Panginoon.

Para sa mga namumuno sa mga bansa at pamayanan, upang pangalagaan nila ang kalikasan at itaguyod ang kabutihang panlahat, lalo na para sa mga dukha at higit na nangangailangan, manalangin tayo sa Panginoon.

Para sa ating lahat na mga Kristiyano, upang mamuhay tayo nang payak, itaguyod ang katarungan at kapayapaan, at maging responsableng tagapangasiwa ng mga kaloob na ipinagkatiwala sa atin ng Diyos, manalangin tayo sa Panginoon.

Para sa mga nakakaranas ng mga sakuna at pagkasira ng kalikasan, upang matagpuan nila ang lakas at pag-asa sa Diyos at makatanggap ng tulong mula sa kapwa, manalangin tayo sa Panginoon.

Para sa ating pamayanan, upang sa pagdiriwang ng Panahon ng Paglikha ay lalo tayong magpasalamat sa Diyos at mahikayat na pangalagaan ang ating iisang tahanan para sa kapakinabangan ng mga susunod na salinlahi, manalangin tayo sa Panginoon.

Diyos naming Ama, Maylalang ng langit at lupa, dinggin mo ang mga panalangin ng iyong bayan. Ipagkaloob mong maging tapat kami sa pangangalaga sa mga kaloob na iyong ipinagkatiwala sa amin at maging responsableng tagapangalaga ng iyong sangnilikha. Sa pamamagitan ni Kristong aming Panginoon.

Amen.

TIPS TO PREVENT SCHOOL VIOLENCE IN THE PHILIPPINES

Bro. Clifford Sorita Sunday, September 6, 2026 9:00 am

 348 total reads

On June 22, 2026, news from Tacloban City shocked the nation: two minors, aged 14 and 15, entered a public high school and opened fire, killing three students and wounding seven others. Police recovered more than 40 spent shells and traced the weapons—one belonging to a police officer, another to a security agency—revealing how easily lethal arms slipped past supposed safeguards. This tragedy is not an isolated incident; it is a painful wake‑up call that our schools are vulnerable, our systems incomplete, and our children’s safety fragile. Violence in Philippine schools—whether mass attacks, bullying, or abuse—destroys lives, disrupts education, and betrays the trust families place in learning institutions. Drawing from the lessons of Tacloban and existing policies like DepEd Order 40 s. 2012 (Child Protection Policy) and RA 10627 (Anti‑Bullying Act), here are five practical, human‑centered strategies to prevent such horrors from happening again.

 

  1. Fortify Entry Points and Strictly Control Access – Prevention begins with physical security that is visible yet respectful. Schools must implement mandatory bag inspections, install working metal detectors, and maintain complete visitor logs with proper identification and escort systems. All firearms, bladed weapons, and explosive materials must be strictly prohibited within school grounds, without exception—including for personnel or visitors unless authorized by law enforcement and fully accounted for. Security guards must be vetted, trained in child protection protocols and emergency response, and coordinated with local police and barangay tanods for regular patrols and quick reaction support. In partnership with LGUs and PNP, schools should conduct periodic security audits to identify blind spots, weak fencing, or unmonitored areas that could be exploited. Safety is not about making schools feel like prisons; it is about ensuring that every person entering is there to learn, teach, or serve—never to harm.

 

  1. Build Robust Mental Health and Emotional Support Systems – Violence is rarely sudden; it is often the final expression of long‑unheard pain, isolation, or trauma. Philippine schools must move beyond viewing guidance counselors as mere disciplinarians or paper‑pushers and instead establish comprehensive mental health support aligned with RA 12080 (Basic Education Mental Health Law). This means having accessible counselors, regular emotional wellness check‑ins, peer support groups, and clear referral pathways to social workers and mental health professionals. Teachers and staff should be trained to recognize warning signs—withdrawal, sudden behavioral changes, aggressive outbursts, fixation on violence or weapons—and to report concerns confidentially to the Child Protection Committee (CPC) required in every school. When students feel seen, heard, and supported, destructive impulses are more likely to be addressed before they escalate into irreversible harm.

 

  1. Strengthen Child Protection Mechanisms and Reporting Cultures – Every school must fully operationalize DepEd’s Child Protection Policy (DO 40 s. 2012) and Anti‑Bullying Law (RA 10627), ensuring that the CPC functions actively and not just on paper. Policies must be clear, known to all, and include anonymous, safe reporting channels—online forms, suggestion boxes, dedicated hotlines—so that students, parents, and even concerned community members can speak up without fear of retaliation. Crucially, reports must be investigated promptly, fairly, and confidentially, with appropriate interventions ranging from counseling and mediation to disciplinary or legal action. Schools should also teach “upstander” behavior—empowering learners to intervene safely or seek help when they witness harm—rather than normalizing bystander silence. A culture of openness and accountability is our strongest defense against violence.

 

  1. Deepen Partnerships Between Schools, Families, and Communities – Prevention requires a united front. Schools must build stronger ties with parents through regular dialogues, orientation programs, and active involvement in Brigada Eskwela and other activities, so families understand their vital role in monitoring behavior and reinforcing values. Coordination with barangay officials, LGUs, and the PNP should be formalized—through school safety committees, joint patrols, and shared intelligence on emerging threats or troubled youth. Local leaders must also help regulate access to weapons and ensure that communities themselves reject violence as a solution. When schools, homes, and neighborhoods work together, we create an extended safety net that surrounds every child, wherever they are.

 

  1. Teach Peace, Respect, and Conflict Resolution as Core Subjects – Finally, the most lasting prevention is education itself. Violence thrives where empathy, respect, and peaceful problem‑solving are absent. Schools should integrate peace education, human rights, gender sensitivity, and conflict resolution into daily lessons—not just as special events, but as essential competencies alongside reading, math, and science. Students must learn to value differences, manage emotions constructively, and settle disputes through dialogue and mediation. When our schools consistently nurture a culture of respect and compassion, we build a generation that rejects violence and protects one another.

 

The tragedy in Tacloban must not be just another headline. It must be the turning point that compels us to move from policies on paper to real, lived safety in every classroom, campus, and community across the Philippines. Guarding our schools and youth is more than a matter of policy or security—it is a sacred duty rooted in the call to protect the most vulnerable among us. As Jesus taught, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:14), reminding us that every learner is a precious gift entrusted to our care.

Fraternal Correction

Rev. Msgr. Wilfredo Andrey Sunday, September 6, 2026 7:30 am

 584 total reads

23rd Sunday A

 

Ez 33:7-9
Th reading introduces Ezekiel’s prophetic work among Babylonian exiles, emphasizing God’s universal concerns as he was the first prophet called in a foreign land. He warns of Jerusalem’s destruction and describes the watchman’s role in warning of danger, emphasizing accountability for failing to warn. The passage highlights personal guilt and God’s concern, with the prophetic voice vital for repentance until the end, focusing on responsibility over response.

 

Rom 13:8-10
The passage highlights Paul’s teaching on Christian freedom from the law. This freedom isn’t license or anti-nomianism; observing the command to love ensures the law’s demands are met. Love respects the law but requires more. It’s the only debt Christians owe, fulfilling the law through unlimited love (Mk 12:28-34), making the law fully fulfilled (v10).

 

Mt 18:15-20
Considering the previous parable on the lost sheep (Mt 18:12-14) as the immediate context of the gospel reading today (vv 15-20), the motive behind the three-step procedure regarding erring brothers becomes obvious. In keeping the desire of the ‘heavenly Father that none any of these little ones should perish’ (v14), it aims to “win over” the brother who sinned (v 15). The verb “kerdainō” κέρδαὶνω generally means “to gain,””acquire” and could have as its object either things (material world at the expense of of one’s spiritual life, Mt 15:26) or someone (for reconciliation, Mt 18:15; 1 Pet. 3:1 or for St. Paul, gaining converts, 1 Cor. 9:19ff, and Christ himself, Phil. 3:8).

The first step in the process of correction is based on Lev 19.17: “You shall not hate your brother in your heart but you shall reason with your neighbor lest you bear sin with your neighbor because of him”. This sort of private confrontation should be motivated by love and concern. The second step is based on Deut 19,15: “Only on the evidence of two or of three witnesses, shall a charge be sustained.” The biblical procedure presupposes a criminal offense, but here the witnesses would help in a sort of “negotiation” in order to urge him to return to faithfulness. Lastly, the step that can be considered as the “adjudication”. If the brother still will not listen, the disciple must tell it “to the church,” the community of those who belong to the kingdom. The whole purpose of this action is to remove every stumbling block, to bring back the strayed into fellowship with the whole community. If that fails, however, “let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax-col-lector” a common proverbial phrase indicating those outside the kingdom (cf. 5:46-47).

In the concluding verses, the power to bind and loose, previously bestowed on Peter in 16:19, is now given to the disciples at large. That power would seem to concern either the imposing (and lifting) of decrees of excommunication or the forgiving (and not forgiving) of sins (v18). The ideas of agreement, common prayer, and Christ’s presence are here in the service of exercising the power to bind and loose in the case of the brother who sins (v19). When the community gathers in Jesus’ name to hear a legal case, Jesus is there. When the community agrees, the Father in heaven agrees (v20).

This Sunday’s message highlights our Christian duty to correct others when needed, based on Ezekiel’s call for admonition in prophecy and the Gospel’s guide for confronting unrepentant offenders. It stresses community prayer, love as the foundation of commandments, and the importance of addressing wrongdoings courageously without vindictiveness or inaction. Practicing this fulfills God’s desire that no one be lost. May we all have the courage to do so. Amen.

Debt of Love

Rev. Fr. Nicanor Lalog II Sunday, September 6, 2026 7:00 am

 850 total reads

Lord My Chef Sunday Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II 
Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A, 06 September 2026
Ezekiel 33:7-9  ><}}}}*> Romans 13:8-10  ><}}}}*> Matthew 18:15-20
From Facebook post by Marvin Germo, 04 September 2026.

Thanks be to God for Alex Eala – not only an excellent tennis player, a bright and intelligent lady but most of all, most kind and humble of all.

Her recent landing on the front page of New York Times that prides itself with the motto “All the News Fit to Print” in its 175 years of existence cemented Eala’s stardom. That’s real influence no blog stats nor Hollywood walk of fame could match.

Side by side with the major events and newsmakers in the world, the editors of New York Times featured Eala on their front page not entirely because of her prowess and grit in tennis but of her expressions of love, community and unity of Filipinos – a far, far cry from news coming from our forsaken country of calamities and crooks in government. Eala – along with other athletes like EJ Obienna – are the only good news we now have, with her practically a walking gospel like St. Paul in today’s second reading.

Brothers and sisters: Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law (Romans 13:8).

Photo by author, St. Paul Spiritual & Renewal Center, Bgy. Tanyawak, Alfonso, Cavite, 19 August 2026.

What kind of love is Paul exhorting the Romans then and us today? For St. Paul, love is the self-sacrificing love that Jesus showed us when he offered himself for us on the cross.

Recall last Sunday St. Paul reminded us “to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice” (Rom. 12:1) like Jesus. In that same chapter, he spoke of not retaliating or seeking vengeance while in the following chapter we now have, he expounded the themes of obedience to authority and a sort of social responsibilities like justice (Rom. 13:1-7).

And while justice demands we pay off our debts and other dues to one another, to the state and public officials, it is a totally different scenario when it comes to love. For St. Paul, love is the imitation of Jesus Christ, a love that can never be measured at all and even be demanded and decreed.

Love is not a possession that anyone can receive nor give in an exactly measured quantity like a pound or a kilogram of love. St. Mother Teresa said the measure of love is when you love without measure. It is either you love or do not love! And when we do not love, then we sin which is a refusal to love.

That sin can only be repaired and corrected by love.

Therefore, to overcome sin, you have to love more!

That is why we hear Jesus teaching us today the importance of fraternal correction based on love not anything else.

Jesus said to his disciples: “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two other along with you, so that every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church. If he refuses to listen to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector” (Matthew 18:15-17).

Photo by a friend in Swan Island Dahlia Farm, Canby, Oregon, 29 August 2026.

Jesus is now heading to Jerusalem to fulfill his mission. Along the way, he taught his disciples important lessons about the Church he had just established upon Peter, the Rock, while at Caesarea Philippi the other Sunday.

For three Sundays beginning today, Jesus will touch on three moral issues we face with seeming complexity in our modern time like fraternal correction, forgiving, and work. These are crucial because they are expressions of mutual love for one another. Most of all, it is in these realms we fall into “sin of omission” particularly with fraternal correction as we tend to detach ourselves from others when they are committing sin. By distancing from them or refusing to make a clear stand against evil, we unconsciously allow sin to persist.

The dark side of the sin of omission lies in that tendency within us to not care at all with those into serious sins when we separate and distance from them, even telling them “bahala ka na sa buhay mo…pinili mo iyan, pagdusahan mo.”

Fraternal correction is the antidote to sins of omission because it is about keeping our relationships intact as family, friends, brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ who becomes truly present in the world among us when we live in harmony because “where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Mt. 18:20).

This is the good news of Eala, whether she wins or loses a match, she speaks of love and kindness. And she has been consistent with it!

From Facebook, 04 September 2026.

Since the Old Testament, God had already insisted on this moral precept as his children that we look after one another like a sentinel – a watchman or a guard – as he told the Prophet Ezekiel in the first reading.

At that time, the enemies of Judah were closely approaching their borders that they designated watchmen as their first line of defense. Failure by these watchmen to warn the people – as it turned out later – could spell disaster for the kingdom.

The same thing is true with us. We are all interrelated with each other. One rotten tomato can spoil the whole batch like allowing corruption in every form to continue as well as electing corrupt officials into office. How sad we have not learned our lessons; maybe not until we have sank deep into flood…

We cannot be indifferent and be mere bystanders amid the evil and sins happening around us perpetrated especially by those closest to us. It is not enough either that we do no wrong on others yet allow those into corruption to continue with their evil doings. Fraternal correction is an expression of our love – for God and for others. We correct those into sin because of love, not because we are better or holier.

St. Paul beautifully declared in 2 Corinthians 5:14, “Caritas Christi urget nos” – the love of Christ urges, impels us – to love more especially in these times of calamities and disunity in the country.

Photo by a friend, Swan Island Dahlia Farm, Canby, Oregon, 29 August 2026.

This love of Jesus Christ the Lord himself described as “new commandment” at his last supper (Jn.13:34) is a love rooted in God himself, a love that “levels up” every disciple into the mystical plane of existence.

Recall those moments you have truly loved without strings attached, unselfish and selfless: that is when we realize that love is a debt we can never pay off because love is a gift from God, something that is never exhausted nor depleted. In fact, we realize that we too can love like Jesus Christ!

God does not “order” nor “command” us in the strict sense to love him. He asks for our love because he loves us, because he is love. When we love, we fulfill the commandments of God, we live in peace and harmony with one another like in heaven. That is why it is only love that will remain in heaven where there will be no more fraternal corrections. Most of all, love can never be paid off as a debt because love is all that shall remain to become our very person in Christ. Amen. Have a blessed, loving week!

Veritas Editorial

Picture of Rev. Fr. Anton CT Pascual

Rev. Fr. Anton CT Pascual

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