Year A: 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

 First Reading: Ezekiel 33: 7-9

Telling someone that what they are doing is wrong is seen as a serious obligation in today’s Reading from Ezekiel.

God makes it clear that if someone is doing wicked things then they will suffer the consequence - but the one who stands by and lets them carry on will also be held accountable. It has rightly been said that, for evil to prevail, it is enough that the good person does nothing.

Most of us hesitate about getting involved in other people’s business - and few of us would choose to be classed as judgemental. But, at one time or another, every one of us is faced with a situation in which it is obvious that someone is doing something wrong - or that they are hurting someone - and then, we have to choose what to do. Do we allow things to carry on as they are - or do we step in and say “this is wrong”?

The thing that makes all the difference is why and how we act.

If we act out of love and concern - and that love and concern is obvious to the person to whom we are speaking, then our words are seen as constructive. They may not be accepted straightaway - but the channels of communication are kept open and, eventually, the person may come to see that what we said was true and in their best interests.

It is also true that a good friend - or relative - who acts in this way may, eventually, well gain more respect from the other than those who went along with the wrong-doing. They are seen as people of integrity who can be trusted to speak and to act justly - however tough that may be sometimes.

What does it mean for me?

Is there a situation in which you know that you  may need to tell someone that what they are doing is wrong? How can you prepare to do it in a way that is positive and can lead to change for the better?

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