Gospel Reflection for September 7 2014
“You’re not going out looking like that!”
Parents say that often to teenagers as they display new and ever more outrageous forms of dress.
Of course, parents and teenager have different ideas about what is appropriate and fashionable. That’s obvious. What is not obvious, at first, is the very idea of one person commenting on another person’s behavior.
Some teens find it outrageous that their fashion choice is open to debate, but parents have a different perspective. They are older, have a longer view of the consequences of our behavior, and know what works and what doesn’t work in the outside world. They want their teens to be successful. Their motive is always love. It will take time for teens to see all that, hence the argument by the door as they attempt to leave.
Today’s Gospel encourages all of us to look after each other, and yes, to comment on another’s behavior. It is the answer to Cain’s response to God when he is asked about his brother Abel, whom he has just murdered. Cain replies, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Well, yes you are!
The whole world has been shocked at the brutal murder of two Americans videotaped by the ISIS radical Islamic army, and the thousands of others killed and tortured by them these last few months. They continue their plans to establish a violent radical fundamentalist Islamic state in the heart of the Middle East. I am glad to see outrage across the world against this brutal brand of Islamic extremists. Even Pope Francis has strongly affirmed that ISIS must be stopped.
What I have not seen much, however, is strong, persistent, and public outrage from Muslim leaders in the Middle East, or for that matter, anywhere else against ISIS. Islamic radicals are a small minority of world-wide Islam, and yet, silence from Muslim leaders helps ISIS hijack this ancient religion and reform it into something horrible and dangerous. They should speak up!
We are our brother’s keeper. We should always comment on behavior when it becomes dangerous, but how we do so takes intelligence, thoughtfulness, and planning. After all, we want to be effective, and yelling condemnation or insults is not. Our motive must always be love.
Parents have to think carefully about how to correct their teens and the world needs to think carefully about how to stop ISIS. Both should happen, and both can be Gospel examples of commenting on another’s behavior out of love.
How will this week’s Gospel impact what you say the next time you comment on another’s behavior?
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
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