SUNDAY OF THE TWENTY-THIRD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME | YEAR A | SEPTEMBER 6, 2026 |

SUNDAY OF THE TWENTY-THIRD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME | YEAR A | SEPTEMBER 6, 2026 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/sunday-of-the-twenty-third-week-in-ordinary-time-year-a-september-6-2026/

SAINTS OF THE DAY | SEPTEMBER 6, 2026 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-september-6th/

MEMORIAL OF SAINT ELEUTHERIUS, ABBOT AND BLESSED BERTRAND OF GARRIGUES, PRIEST

HISTORY OF THE SAINTS SERIES ON YOUTUBE CHANNEL | https://www.youtube.com/@dailyreflectionswithphilomena

👉🏾 Watch the YouTube Video of Saint Eleutherius, and Blessed Bertrand of Garrigues Here | https://youtu.be/k7yfck7bbYc?si=-3V2MtGOR8z9VZDt

History of the Saints | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day

Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary | EWTN | September 6, 2026 | “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/catholic-daily-mass-september-6-2026/

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Greetings and blessings, beloved family!

Today, on the Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Gospel calls us to practice courageous, fraternal love and mutual reconciliation within our communities, reminding us that where two or three gather in Christ’s name, He is in their midst. In the First Reading, the prophet Ezekiel is called to be a faithful watchman, and Saint Paul reminds us that “love is the fulfillment of the law.” Today, we honor Saint Eleutherius, a 6th-century abbot and wonderworker known for his profound simplicity, penance, and power against evil, who learned true humility through repentance after falling into momentary spiritual pride. We also celebrate Blessed Bertrand of Garrigues, one of the earliest companions of Saint Dominic and a founding pillar of the Dominican Order, who combated heresy through tireless preaching, prayer, and austere holy living, earning him the reputation of being a true image of his holy founder. Inspired by their lives of humble prayer, vigilance, and apostolic zeal, let us open our hearts to God’s voice and grow in true charity toward one another.

BIBLE READINGS FOR TODAY’S HOLY MASS:

Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Today’s Bible Readings for Sunday, September 6, 2026 | Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Reading 1: Ezekiel 33:7-9
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9
Reading 2: Romans 13:8-10
Gospel: Matthew 18:15-20

Gospel Reading ~ Matthew 18:15-20

“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

“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 others 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 even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector. Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.'”

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS

In today’s Gospel, Jesus offers a clear, compassionate model for fraternal correction and Christian community. Rather than resorting to gossip, public humiliate, or passive-aggressive silence when someone causes harm, Christ calls us to direct, private dialogue rooted in love and the desire to restore relationships. The step-by-step process—from private conversation to small-group witness, and finally to the church community—is designed not to punish or condemn, but to win back a brother or sister and preserve unity. Jesus reminds us that our horizontal relationships with one another directly impact our vertical relationship with God; where believers gather, agree, and seek reconciliation in His name, His divine presence is assuredly in their midst.

This obligation to look out for the spiritual well-being of others is powerfully echoed in the First Reading, where God appoints the prophet Ezekiel as a watchman over the house of Israel. The watchman is held accountable if he fails to warn others of dangerous paths; speaking truth in love is not an optional intrusion, but a solemn duty of mutual care. The Responsorial Psalm reminds us that open, receptive hearts are necessary for true community: “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” In the Second Reading, Saint Paul brings all these responsibilities together into one overarching rule: love. Writing to the Romans, Paul declares that “love is the fulfillment of the law.” Every commandment is summed up in loving our neighbor as ourselves, because genuine love actively seeks the good of others and does no evil to anyone.

Together, these readings challenge us to take shared responsibility for the health of our homes, churches, and communities. True Christian love is not permissive or indifferent to sin, nor is it harsh or self-righteous. It is courageous enough to address wrongdoing gently, humble enough to listen when corrected, and devoted to keeping the bonds of peace intact. When we choose loving reconciliation over pride, we make Christ’s presence visible to a divided world.

Are you holding onto unresolved resentment or avoiding a difficult, loving conversation with someone who hurt you? How can you cultivate a softer heart today so that you are open to both giving and receiving fraternal correction in love?

Heavenly Father, You have called us to live in unity, peace, and mutual love as members of one body in Christ. Forgive us for the times we have allowed pride, gossip, or fear of conflict to divide our relationships and communities. Give us the courage of a faithful watchman to speak the truth in charity, and grant us humble, soft hearts to hear Your voice when we are corrected. Help us to owe no debt except the debt to love one another, fulfilling Your holy law through genuine care and forgiveness. May Your Son, Jesus, remain ever present in our midst as we gather, pray, and walk together in His name. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽

SAINTS OF THE DAY | SEPTEMBER 6TH:

Direct link to the detailed history of Saint Eleutherius, and Blessed Bertrand of Garrigues | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-september-6th/

SAINT ELEUTHERIUS (d. 585): Saint Eleutherius was a monk near Spoleto, Italy, in the sixth century, later chosen as abbot of St. Mark’s Monastery. He was known for his deep humility, simplicity of heart, and spirit of compunction. God favored him with the gift of miracles, including exorcisms and even raising the dead to life. His story teaches a powerful lesson in humility: after once boasting that a child freed from demonic possession was safe in the monastery, the boy was possessed again. Deeply repentant, Eleutherius and his monks fasted and prayed until the child was finally delivered. From then on, Eleutherius became a model of humility, careful never to take credit for God’s works. He was a close friend of Pope St. Gregory the Great, who once asked him to pray for healing when he was too weak to fast. Through Eleutherius’ tearful intercession, the Pope was strengthened and able to continue his Lenten penance. After resigning as abbot, Eleutherius retired to a monastery in Rome, where he died around 585. He is remembered as a man of prayer, humility, and miraculous intercession.

PRAYER: Saint Eleutherius, humble servant of God, obtain for us the grace to grow in humility and to rely only on God’s power, not our own. Amen. 🙏🏾

BLESSED BERTRAND OF GARRIGUES (c. 1195–1230): Blessed Bertrand was born in southern France and grew up in a time when the Albigensian heresy was spreading throughout the region. Drawn to holiness from a young age, he entered the priesthood and was initially associated with the Cistercians. When he met St. Dominic, he recognized in him a true man of God and became one of his first six companions in founding the Order of Preachers (Dominicans) in 1215. Bertrand shared Dominic’s vision of preaching the Gospel through prayer, poverty, study, and zeal for souls. He founded houses of the Order in Paris and Bologna, recruited many disciples, and later served as Prior Provincial in Provence. Known for his austerity, humility, and great zeal, he spent his final years preaching across southern France and founded the Priory of Marseille. He died in 1230 while giving sermons at a convent of Cistercian nuns. Those who knew him said he so closely imitated St. Dominic in holiness, fasting, and prayer that people would remark: “The disciple is like the master; there goes the image of St. Dominic.”

PRAYER: Blessed Bertrand, faithful companion of St. Dominic, pray that we too may burn with zeal for the Gospel, live in simplicity, and be tireless in serving Christ and His Church. Amen. 🙏🏾

Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Eleutherius, and Blessed Bertrand of Garrigues ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏾

HONORING THE SAINTS OF THE DAY:
Alongside Saint Eleutherius and Blessed Bertrand of Garrigues, we also honor: SAINT ARATOR, SAINT CAGNOALD, SAINT CHAINALDUS, SAINTS COTTIDUS, EUGENE, & COMPANIONS, SAINT DIONYSIUS, SAINT DONATIAN, SAINT FAUSTUS, SAINTS FELIX AND AUGEBERT, SAINT MACCALLIN, SAINT MAGNUS OF FÜSSEN, SAINT ONESIPHORUS, SAINT PETRONIUS, AND BLESSED THOMAS TSUGHI. May their faithful lives inspire our own journey today.

PRAYER INTENTION: FOR CHURCH UNITY, HUMILITY, PREACHERS, AND RECONCILIATION

Heavenly Father, as we gather in Your Son’s name on this holy day, we ask for the grace to live as faithful watchmen and peacemakers in our families and communities. Through the intercession of Saint Eleutherius, deliver us from spiritual pride, vain self-reliance, and presumptuousness; grant us profound humility and the strength to turn back to You in sincere penance whenever we fall. Through the prayers of Blessed Bertrand of Garrigues, pour out Your Holy Spirit upon all priests, preachers, teachers, and religious orders; grant them courage to proclaim the true faith, combat modern errors, and inspire new generations of disciples. Lord, soften our hearts so that we may hear Your voice today, heal broken relationships, and fulfill Your law through selfless love and forgiveness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽

Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Eleutherius, Blessed Bertrand of Garrigues and all the Saints we celebrate today ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏽

THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2026: FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER: For the care of water. Let us pray for a just and sustainable management of water, a vital resource, so that everyone may have equal access to it.

(https://popesprayerusa.net/popes-intentions/)

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER | MONTH OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS: September is dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, inviting us to unite our hearts with Mary in her profound sharing of Christ’s Passion. As Simeon foretold, “a sword will pierce your own soul too” (Luke 2:35), and throughout her life Mary endured deep sorrows that culminated at Calvary. In her silent strength and unwavering faith, she became the compassionate Mother of all Christians, offering her suffering with Christ for the salvation of the world.

This month, the Church calls us to meditate on the Seven Sorrows of Mary: Simeon’s prophecy, the Flight into Egypt, the loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple, meeting Jesus on the way to Calvary, standing at the foot of the Cross, receiving His lifeless Body, and placing Him in the tomb. By reflecting on these sorrows, we learn patience in trials, compassion for the suffering, and a deeper love for Jesus who suffered for us.

Prayers such as the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows, the Rosary of Our Lady of Sorrows, and the Litany of Our Lady of Sorrows help us to walk with Mary in her suffering and to discover hope and consolation in her maternal heart.

“Most Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, teach us to stand with you at the Cross, sharing in Christ’s love and redemptive sacrifice.”

Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us. Amen 🙏🏾

https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/month.cfm?y=2026&m=9

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you. Jesus, I trust in you! Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pray for us. Amen 🙏🏽

Blessings and Love always, Philomena 💖

DEVOTIONAL RESOURCES

A Guide to Catholic Prayer & Faith Resources: Prayers, Devotions, Teachings, and the Liturgical Year | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/catholic-prayer-faith-resources/

Catholic Mission & Witness: Foundations, Media Features, Global Outreach and Podcast Interview | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/catholic-mission-witness-foundations-media-features-and-global-outreach/

DAILY PRAYERS: St. Michael the Archangel Prayer; Angelus Prayer; and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy Prayer | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/st-michael-the-archangel-prayer-angelus-prayer-and-the-chaplet-of-divine-mercy-prayer-2/

THE HOLY ROSARY: WHAT IS THE HOLY ROSARY AND WHY DO WE PRAY THE HOLY ROSARY? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/the-holy-rosary-what-is-the-holy-rosary-and-why-do-we-pray-the-holy-rosary/

Sir G.L.I Opiepe’s Health and Education Foundation | https://gliopiepehe.org/

Daily Reflections with Philomena | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/