Jesus laid down his life for us, and he thus made known to us love.  We should also lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.  In that way, we pay the debt that we owe him. 

We owe Jesus a huge debt.  For he loved us to the end, to the point of giving up his body and shedding his blood for us.

Moreover, as he loved us so, he made known to us true love.  Also, he set us an example of how we should treat and love each other.

Yet it is clear that this debt that we owe to Jesus is also a call to put on love.  For, indeed, love calls for love in return.

And we need this love or charity to solve conflicts, errors and problems that turn up in the Church.  That is, to live together as we should, we must love, which asks that we be lowly and patient (SV.EN IV:442-443).

No, it is not easy to live together as Church, and today’s gospel tells us this.  For we are not always of one mind and heart.  We do not always agree about not a few things.  At times, we do not understand each other.  Hence, it comes as no surprise that we complain about each other, we contradict, criticize and bar each other.

Yes, we face conflicts as we try to live together as Christ’s community.  But he is in our midst as we love each other.  He, with his love, enables us who make mistake to correct each other.  To overcome conflicts, divisions and factions.

Lord Jesus, pour out over us your Spirit of mutual love so we can pay the debt of love that we owe you. 

6 September 2026
23rd Sunday in O.T. (A)
Ez 33, 7-9; Rom 13, 8-10; Mt 18, 15-20