Fr Ed Homily 9-6-20

The Right Thing To Do

Listening to this reading, and sensitive to our culture today, I was thinking we do not spend a great deal of time resolving conflicts with each other. It seems to me we will take someone to court immediately rather than seeking reconciliation. Why is that? Perhaps we have been programmed that way. We see on TV people threatening to sue. There is no thought to talk about the problem. Just get angry and take the person to court.

So, for today let us set aside the court issue. I think there are many situations that come up without having to go to court but that we do need to reconcile, to admonish and teach each other.

For example, when my daughters were growing up, I would try to take them to something special each year. Maybe it was the Science Museum or a theater production or something like that. One event we went to I remember the outer gate attendant said, “Your children look young enough. When you get to the gate tell them they are all under thirteen. They will not charge you full price.” I had six daughters, one was fifteen, another was thirteen. The older two would be considered adults. I would have to pay for four adults and four children. My oldest stepdaughter was eleven at the time. She had a way of tilting her head and looking at me that I knew she was looking to see what I would do. I had just started diaconate classes. Our faith was important. I knew she was paying attention. But I also knew she knew I would not be unfair. She was watching how I would help this young man grow in his faith. I looked at him and smiled. I said, “I know you are trying to save me money and I appreciate that. But I want my daughters to know I saved money to go to this event. I will pay what I am supposed to pay. They need to understand that it is important to do the right thing.” I could see my daughter thinking about this. The young man and I reconciled before going to court. Perhaps he learned something.

Another example I saw was a friend who was shopping. His son was with him. When they left the store, his son had a candy bar in his hand. He asked his son, “Where did you get the candy bar?” His son said, “I took it.” He explained to his son that this was stealing. He would have to return the candy bar. So, they went back into the store. They saw the manager and his son handed him the candy bar and apologized. The manager said, “You can have it. My employees steal a lot more than that!” My friend was shocked. He said he was trying to teach his son that it is wrong to steal.

These are examples of trying to reconcile without going to court or even considering the need to go to court. We have situations come up like this every day. How we handle them impacts many people around us.

Doing the right thing is what we should really strive towards. How do you know if you did the right thing? Ask yourself, with what I just did, if no one were around to see what I did and no one would ever know what I did, was it still the right thing to do?

May the Lord bless you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen