The truth Shall Set you Free

There is a saying that goes, “A true friend tells you the truth, even when the truth is difficult to hear.” Today’s readings remind us that one of the responsibilities of Christian love is not only to encourage one another but also, when necessary, to correct one another.

In the first reading, God tells the prophet Ezekiel, “I have appointed you as watchman for the house of Israel.” A watchman has a responsibility to warn people when danger is approaching. If he sees the danger but remains silent, he cannot claim that it was none of his business. God expects him to speak.

This message is very relevant to our lives today. We often see people we love making choices that are hurting them, their families or their relationship with God, but we remain silent. We say, “It is his life.” “It is her business.” “I don’t want to get involved.” Sometimes we are afraid that speaking the truth will make us unpopular. Sometimes we simply don’t want the trouble that comes with confronting someone.

But Jesus reminds us today that Christian love sometimes requires us to speak.

In the Gospel, Jesus says, “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.” Notice how practical Jesus is. He does not say, “Tell everyone what your brother has done.” He does not say, “Discuss it with your friends.” He does not say, “Put it on social media.” He says, “Go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.”

How many problems would be solved if we followed this simple teaching?

Someone hurts us, and instead of going to the person, we tell somebody else. Then that person tells another person, and before long, a private disagreement has become public gossip. Sometimes the original problem was small, but our conversations make it much bigger.

Jesus teaches us a better way: talk to the person, not about the person.

But there is another important lesson here. When we correct someone, our intention must be love, not revenge. There is a difference between correcting someone because we care about them and attacking someone because we are angry with them.

We should ask ourselves before confronting another person: “Am I trying to help this person, or am I simply trying to make them feel bad?” If our motivation is revenge, we may need to pray first and calm our hearts. Christian correction should seek restoration, not humiliation.

This applies especially in our families. Parents sometimes need to correct their children. Husbands and wives sometimes need to tell each other difficult truths. Friends sometimes need to say, “What you are doing is not good for you.” A priest may sometimes have to respectfully challenge a parishioner. A parishioner may sometimes need to respectfully challenge a priest. This is part of living together as a Christian community.

May the Lord give us the courage to speak when we should speak, the wisdom to know how to speak, the humility to accept correction, and above all, the love that seeks not to destroy one another but to help one another find our way back to God.