Thus says the LORD: You, son of man, I have appointed watchman for the house of Israel; when you hear me say anything, you shall warn them for me. If I tell the wicked, “O wicked one, you shall surely die,” and you do not speak out to dissuade the wicked from his way, the wicked shall die for his guilt, but I will hold you responsible for his death. But if you warn the wicked, trying to turn him from his way, and he refuses to turn from his way, he shall die for his guilt, but you shall save yourself. (Ezekiel 33: 7-9)
Sometimes in the Bible we come across certain passages that are as relevant and practical in our lives today as they were thousands of years ago when they were first written. The reading from the Prophet Ezekiel is a good example of such a passage. It highlights one of the important aspects of love. Love, I believe, is also concern for the other. As part of this concern we have one of the most difficult responsibilities towards others, namely fraternal correction, to reach out to our brothers and sisters with Christ’s love, by being faithful to his teachings.
We live in a world where we usually do not interfere in matters of other people. We tend to be more individualistic. We tend to excuse ourselves by saying: “Why not live and let live?”, or “If I point out the mistake he/she will get angry and reject me,” or “Do I really have to say what’s on my mind?”
Why should it be our business whether somebody else decides to serve God or not, follow God’s ways or not? The above reading from Ezekiel, from the first Sunday of September, reminds us that as faithful Christians it is our responsibility to reach out to people and help them to be connected with Christ and his teachings. And this scripture made me think of our calling and responsibility as medical professionals and as members of the Catholic Medical Association.
Rev. Thomas B. Iwanowski says that there are three ways we can respond to a situation or if we were asked our opinion. We could say that we approve the person’s action or behavior or the action or the reaction seems reasonable. Or we might say that we disapprove of the way the person acted; the person’s behavior was inappropriate. Or a third way is to remain silent, expressing neither approval nor disapproval. However, that silence can often be interpreted as validation or approval of the action or the behavior or as indifference.
God tells the prophet Ezekiel that he is to be a “watchman for the house of Israel” to warn, to correct, to speak out to Israel of their failures or misbehaviors. If Ezekiel refrains from speaking the word to those who have gone astray, God will hold Ezekiel responsible for their death or destruction. I was thinking of myself as a priest, all those who are entrusted with the responsibility of leadership and all those who are called to be the voice of truth, including all of us in the Catholic Medical Association. Many times, it is difficult for us to speak about things that are not very comfortable for others, for the world to hear. But this reading reminds all of us of our responsibility towards our brothers and sisters.
In the gospels we read how Jesus treated those who held different value systems, who followed ungodly ways, we read how he treated pharisees and scribes, priests and elders, tax collectors and sinners. He did not abandon them, but he brought to their attention their evil ways, and unholy attitudes.
St. Paul tells us in Romans 12: 9, “Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold onto what is good.” It reminds us that love does not mean that we accept everything. When we need to respond, when we need to speak up, when we need to stand up for the truth, when we need to disagree, when we need to correct, we need to do so. When we need to speak the truth in charity, when we need to stand for God and moral principles it is not against love, but it is from a love that is sincere.
Like the Prophet Ezekiel, as medical professionals and as members of the Catholic Medical Association, how are we called to be a “watchman for the house of Israel” who sounds the alarm when danger approaches, to be the voice of the gospel of life, a voice against the sinful structures of racism, discrimination, injustice, abuse, devaluation of human life, corruption, crime, and so on? Let us remember that silence gives consent! Let us remember St. Paul’s words, “Let love be sincere.” God bless.
