The challenge from today’s readings asks that we
present a clear picture, an honest assessment of culture and even of ourselves
when it comes to examination of conscience.
In Ezekiel we are asked to warn the sinner of his ways and the Gospel
also challenges us to offer fraternal correction when necessary. The worst sin we can commit as individuals or
as a society is to lie to ourselves, i.e. not being honest about our sins and
the sins of others.
There are two extremes to avoid however when dealing
with sins; the first is that people think everything is a sin or that I am
always committing mortal sin, for a Christian that is not likely, though not
impossible. The other extreme is to
think that nothing is a sin or to excuse everything under the language of
psychology (a science I condone and believe in, but not every action has an
excuse or explanation) or to live in a kumbaya
(your alright, I’m alright, we are all alright) world.
As priests when we minister to people we will run
into folks who suffer from scrupulosity and they live in a world of guilt. This is not the world Jesus wants them in as
they move further and further into despair.
Jesus made us to be free and happy.
But he also made us with responsibility and within that responsibility
we acknowledge truth vs. lies, good vs. evil, etc. The first reading from Ezekiel tells us to
correct our brothers and sisters when they sin as does the Gospel, but to
always do so with fraternal care.
Sometimes we may remind them too much or not enough. We are to do this to keep each other on our
toes and motivate Christian discipline in our lives.
In today’s world we must be that voice for truth
that still knows and understands and can explain why certain things are always
wrong and sinful. For instance adultery
is wrong, abortion is wrong, denying the poor is wrong, not caring for the sick
or elderly is wrong, marriage outside of one man and one woman is wrong. Murder, cheating, lying, and stealing is
always wrong. If a brother or sister is living in sin it is
my duty and yours to offer fraternal correction and do it reasonably and with
compassion. If the person does not
listen, pray about it and do as Jesus asked, bring in another person or two to
offer this fraternal correction, if they refuse bring it to the Church, if they
still refuse then we must respect their free choice but not their sin, “Love
the sinner, hate the sin, (saying has been credited to St. Augustine)”
However, with all that being said, before I make
myself judge and arbiter of other’s sins, I must make sure my own conscience is
clear and to remember that God has dealt with me mercifully so too must I then
deal with others mercifully.
Everyone knows someone we want to change their
lives, children who have left the Church, friends who are living in grave sin,
etc. This hurts us because we love
them. Fraternal correction only works if
we first live the Gospel at all times especially in their presence; people are
moved by actions first, then by words.
Pray for the strength to live your faith, in deeds
and words, and to share with all. Never
be embarrassed to profess what you believe, do so with your heads held
high. In doing so it will give others
pause and you just may have planted a seed in their hearts to return to
goodness, to return to the faith.
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