Word to the Wise
Friday, February 27, 2015 - 1st Week of Lent - Fri
[Ezek 18:21-28 and Matt 5:20-26]Do I indeed derive any pleasure from the death of the wicked? says the Lord God. Do I not rather rejoice when he turns from his evil way that he may live?
Jesus echos Ezekiel when he speaks of the joy in heaven over the one sinner who repents. [Luke 15:7]. He speaks of this as one of three parables - the lost sheep, the lost coin and finally, and most dramatically, the prodigal son. Ezekiel is blunt and makes it clear there is always room for conversion. The loss of eternal joy is never inevitable. Ezekiel, in another place, also charges the prophet (and everyone) to warn those who do evil, so that they may have a chance at repentance.
There are people who get joy out of correcting others, and there are people who get joy out of knowing that someone is doomed to eternal punishment. Neither of these kinds of people are helpful. The process outlined in Matthew 18:15-17 offers a way to help others avoid destructive ways. It may seem strange to think that we can give God a cause to rejoice, but Ezekiel and Jesus assure us that part of caring for others is to offer the right way so that conversion is possible. This is not easy but helping even one person, especially in Lent, to find the right path does a lot more good than giving up a favorite food. AMEN