RESPONSIBILITY: Ezekiel is appointed a watchman. God essentially tells him: If you see someone going toward destruction, you cannot simply remain silent. Love sometimes requires warning another person.

The Christian is responsible not only for himself but, in a real sense, for his brother.

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LOVE: Paul reduces the commandments to their deepest principle: love of neighbor. Love does no evil to another. This is important alongside Ezekiel: Christian correction cannot come from superiority, anger or gossip. It must come from love.

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RECONCILIATION: Jesus gives an actual process for dealing with someone who sins against us: begin privately, then bring witnesses if necessary, and only afterward involve the Church.

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COURAGE: Not the courage to “tell somebody off,” but the courage to have a difficult conversation because we genuinely desire their good.

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Fr. Erik Vigil