This weekend we celebrate Labor Day. Can the summer be coming to an end already? Even though we have had rather warm weather, with the virus around it seems like we did not have a summer. But Labor Day is a great celebration for all those who labor. It gives us a chance to reflect on work as a noble honorable undertaking. It also gives us a chance to recall how Labor Unions, many of which came out of church basements as the churches tried to make things better for our immigrant populations, helped establish humane working conditions. Let us pray for all workers and especially for those looking for employment.
Today is the Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time. In our second reading today St. Paul says: "Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another." This fulfills the commandments. "Love does no evil to the neighbor; hence, love is the fulfillment of the law." As the old song goes "All you need is love."
In our first reading today and in the Gospel, we are given an example of what this means. The Prophet Ezekiel is told to warn the wicked to change their wicked ways. If he doesn't, he will be held responsible. Jesus basically says the same thing in the Gospel. He tells his disciples to seek out the sinner and try to convert him/her. He even gives us a way to do it. "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone." He goes on to say if that doesn't work, try to talk to the sinner with a couple of people from the church. If that doesn't work try it with the whole church. In other words he is saying we are our brother's/sister's keepers. I know this is a difficult thing to do, to point out someone's faults, but the Lord says to do it lovingly to save that person. We can try knowing that sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.
The last line in today's Gospel can give us great hope in this time of pandemic. "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Prayer at home is good. We still have about 15 people at each Sunday Mass, masked and socially distanced, at 8:15 and 10:30 AM. Last Sunday we had several more at 10:30. It was good to see some new faces.
I want to congratulate Moreau Seminary and my own religious community. On Friday afternoon, five young men made perpetual vows in the Congregation of Holy Cross and then on Saturday four more were ordained priests and four were ordained transitional deacons. Please pray for vocations to the church.