Esteemed parishioners of Blessed Sacrament and Visitors,

In the first reading for this Sunday, Prophet Ezekiel is called to be a sentry, or guard, to ensure that the people of Israel remain faithful to the covenant. In ancient times, a sentry was an army guard tasked with watching over his men to prevent them from being taken by surprise.

Towns also had sentries who kept watch day and night. A sentry who failed to watch or neglected to sound an alarm would be held responsible for any harm that befell the people. Conversely, if he sounded the alarm and the people ignored it, he could not be blamed for any subsequent disaster.

The reading today compares Ezekiel's mission to that of a sentry. He realizes how dire the situation has become and understands that change is essential. It is his duty to speak out and make the people aware of how far they have strayed from God, which is leading to their ruin. If he fails to do so, he will be held accountable by God for their destruction. However, if he warns them and they ignore his message, then he is not liable for their fate.

At times, we find ourselves in situations where we must take on the prophetic role of Ezekiel and act as sentries. In fact, we all serve as sentries for certain individuals or groups of people: parents for their families, teachers for their students, civic leaders for their communities, and employees for those they serve. Even siblings have a responsibility toward one another-failing to recognize this is akin to the biblical Cain's arrogant declaration, "Am I my brother's keeper?" (Genesis 4:9).

Concrete examples are evident: you may have a relative-a brother, son, daughter, friend, or loved one-whose behavior is problematic and serves as a nuisance to both the church and society. You might argue that this person has chosen their lifestyle, and that their choices are their own. You may feel reluctant to interfere in their personal affairs. However, Ezekiel reminds you that it is your duty to warn them. You must reach out. If that person ignores your warnings or advice and faces consequences, that will be their responsibility. But at least on your part, you have saved your soul; you will have fulfilled your obligation.

We have heard the same message in the Gospel: Jesus encourages us to help those who do wrong to return to the right path. He suggests that we should speak to them personally and face-to-face as the first step in this process. This initial stage is the most sensitive; if we approach it poorly, the person we intend to help may feel hurt, turn away from us, and ultimately, we could lose a friend and feel responsible for that failure.

To succeed in this endeavor, we should be guided by prudent judgment and wisdom. Proverbs 9:8 reminds us, "Do not reprove the arrogant, lest they hate you; reprove the wise, and they will love you." This teaches us a valuable lesson about how to approach correction. The core idea is that a person's character significantly affects how they respond to correction. The same advice can yield completely different reactions depending on whether a person is proud or teachable. An arrogant person often has an inflated view of themselves; they may believe they are usually right, superior to others, or above criticism. Consequently, when someone points out their mistake, they do not ask, "Is there something I can learn from this?" Instead, they might think, "Who are you to correct me?"

In contrast, a wise person is not someone who never makes mistakes; rather, they are willing to admit their errors and learn from them. During my PhD program, a professor returned our exam papers, but mine was bleeding in crimson red-marked with numerous corrections. I felt frustrated and angry, thinking she was unfairly targeting me. However, after some thoughtful reflection, I realized that I had misunderstood the question, and I was grateful for her guidance. This experience helped me developa teachable spirit, and I eventually graduated with the highest GPA. That professor became one of my favorites; she didn't just give constructive criticism; she helped me grow academically. I believe we should embrace corrections from others with a similar attitude.

To wrap up, the readings do not encourage us to go around criticizing everyone who makes a mistake. Instead, they call us to exercise the prophetic call given to us at Baptism, a responsibility to be faithful and call others to fidelity. In doing this, we should first identify those who have a teachable spirit versus those who are defensive. Regardless of the case, our motivation for correcting others should come from love, truth, and a desire for restoration, not from a sense of superiority. Furthermore, you do not have to agree with every criticism outright, but it is important to listen before becoming defensive. I leave you with a question to ponder: "How do I respond when someone corrects me?"

In God's service and yours.

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