This Sunday's Readings

Church of the Sacred Heart

23RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

5 & 6 SEPTEMBER 2026

Collect

Let us pray.

O God, by whom we are redeemed and receive adoption,

look graciously upon your beloved sons and daughters,

that those who believe in Christ

may receive true freedom

and an everlasting inheritance.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

First Reading

A reading from the prophet Ezekiel.                                      33:7-9

If you do not speak to the wicked man, I will hold you responsible for his death

The word of the Lord was addressed to me as follows: ‘Son of man, I have appointed you as sentry to the House of Israel. When you hear a word from my mouth, warn them in my name. If I say to a wicked man: Wicked wretch, you are to die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked man to renounce his ways, then he shall die for his sin, but I will hold you responsible for his death. If, however, you do warn a wicked man to renounce his ways and repent, and he does not repent, then he shall die for his sin, but you yourself will have saved your life.’

The word of the Lord.

Response: Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

R.  O that today you would listen to his voice! ‘Harden not your hearts.’

Come, ring out our joy to the Lord;

    hail the rock who saves us.

Let us come before him, giving thanks,

    with songs let us hail the Lord.

R.  O that today you would listen to his voice! ‘Harden not your hearts.’

Come in; let us bow and bend low;

    let us kneel before the God who made us:

for he is our God and we

    the people who belong to his pasture,

    the flock that is led by his hand.

R.  O that today you would listen to his voice! ‘Harden not your hearts.’

O that today you would listen to his voice!

    ‘Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,

    as on that day at Massah in the desert

when your fathers put me to the test;

    when they tried me, though they saw my work.’

R.  O that today you would listen to his voice! ‘Harden not your hearts.’

Second Reading

A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Romans.                         13:8-10

Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice

Avoid getting into debt, except the debt of mutual love. If you love your fellow men you have carried out your obligations. All the commandments: You shall not commit adultery, you shall not kill, you shall not steal, you shall not covet, and so on, are summed up in this single command: You must love your neighbour as yourself. Love is the one thing that cannot hurt your neighbour; that is why it is the answer to every one of the commandments.

The word of the Lord.

Response: Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation                                                                                  

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Your word is truth, O Lord:

consecrate us in the truth.

Alleluia!

Gospel

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.                    18:15-20

Response: Glory to you, O Lord.

If your brother listens to you, you have won back your brother

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘If your brother does something wrong, go and have it out with him alone, between your two selves. If he listens to you, you have won back your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you: the evidence of two or three witnesses is required to sustain any charge. But if he refuses to listen to these, report it to the community; and if he refuses to listen to the community, treat him like a pagan or a tax collector.

    ‘I tell you solemnly, whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.

    ‘I tell you solemnly once again, if two of you on earth agree to ask anything at all, it will be granted to you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three meet in my name, I shall be there with them.’

The Gospel of the Lord.

Response: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayer Of The Faithful

Introduction: The Lord has promised to be with us whenever we gather in His name. With confidence, let us bring our prayers before Him.

Response: Lord, graciously hear us.

1. For the Church: May we be missionaries of mercy, helping others to find the peace and joy in God’s forgiveness. Lord, hear us.

2. For the Pope’s intention this September: Let us pray for a just and sustainable management of water, a vital resource, so that everyone may have equal access to it. Lord, hear us.

3. For those affected by disasters and fires in our region: May times of hardship draw nations together in love of neighbour, supporting those in need and working for the good of all. Lord, hear us.

4. For all who give of themselves in caring for the poor, the sick and the vulnerable: May God bless their efforts and make them instruments of His love. Lord, hear us.

5. For our parish community: May we treasure the gift of belonging to Christ's Church, and treat one another with patience, mercy and love, especially when differences arise. Lord, hear us.

6. We now pray in silence for other needs and intentions …

For these other needs and intentions, Lord hear us.

Conclusion: God our Father, You pour Your love into our hearts and unite us in Christ Your Son. Help us to live in peace with one another and to share that peace with the world. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.