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Jesus was an astute observer
of human nature. He knew how quickly we tend to judge one another. When
someone hurts us, instead of going to that person to work it out, we
presume the worst. We want revenge. We tell our friends and expect them
to take our side. That is not what Jesus teaches in the gospel today. He
says if someone should sin against you , go to that person but keep it
between yourselves.
Before we react to our brothers and sisters, we might want to consider
taking our grievance to the Lord. How have we been hurt or offended? Is
it a bruise to our pride-filled ego? Is it a genuine wrong that has been
done to us? Would we be offended if the same abuse had happened to
someone else?
In the first reading God
instructs the prophet Ezekiel, and each of us, to call the wicked person
back from their evil way. These days it’s not politically correct to
follow this advice. We believe that everything is OK as long as it
doesn't hurt anyone. Truth be told, that kind of permissiveness can hurt
a great deal. Everyday we hear about children killing themselves with
drugs, gangs, weapons, and diseases. We hear of parents so stressed out
that they find themselves abusing their spouses and their children. Well
intentioned, but misguided persons suggest that abortion and mercy
killing are valid options for those who seek them. Do we have the
courage to speak out against these wrongs?
Paul tells us to owe no debt except the debt that binds us to love one
another. Love does more than ignore brothers and sisters when they go
astray. Love demands that we speak out in love, for what we know is
Christ’s truth`.
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