We live in a society where the emphasis is on personal responsibility. However in some quarters, for some people who call for this, it is the last thing that they want to personally experience. Not a day goes by when we hear the question who is to "blame" for something, it seems that we cannot rest without pinning something on someone, even in those situations driven by circumstances rather than malice or neglect. Have you been in this situation, have you been treated unfairly? Looking back in your life, at some time have you blamed others for something, perhaps unfairly? If we are honest with ourselves for most of us there are times when we have done this. I certainly have.

Somehow we don’t mind seeing the distortions in others, but we can’t bear to see them in ourselves. We critique and blame others, but we are terrified us being on the receiving end ourselves. The capacity to blame and shame is a very great and damaging temptation we often fall into, a great seduction on the part of Satan, the enemy, the father of lies.

A distinguishing feature of the God of the Jews was that of justice. Gods in other pagan religions were whimsical and unpredictable. They could be nice or nasty on a whim. The God of the Old Testament could be harsh, but ultimately God was faithful to his people, regardless of their behaviour and apostacy. Uniquely God was and still is associated with justice, mercy and compassion; the care for widow, the orphan and the stranger. The God in Old Testament called upon his people to be like Him, including when needed calling people to account, rather than to blame, and then behave justly with mercy.

We are one family united in God. We are created in the image and likeness of God, and as God cares for us and God reasonably expects us to care for each other. All of us will have had times in our lives when this care involves trying to help someone when we believe that things are not right in their lives. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, the other person will deny that there is a problem and see our concern as amounting to interference. At other times, despite the best of our intentions, our concern can come across as blaming, nagging, and sanctimonious. It is a difficult business, but the difficulty does not absolve us of the duty of love; love, expressed with care and attention; as St Paul tells us, that as love always seeks what is good it is the one thing that cannot harm our neighbour, and he is right. All of the commandments of the God of the Old Testament, and then the Lord Jesus, turn on the hinge of love.

This Sunday the context for the gospel is not that of blame and accusation, but persistence telling the truth and seeking to bring reconciliation and doing everything possible to make this possible. Jesus, though basing the need for witnesses on the standards of Mosaic law, something very familiar to his listeners, is not talking about courts of law but the need for us to persist in ensuring that no one is lost to our us , our community and, ultimately, to Him and the Father.

Of course this is bound up in how each person uses the God given gift of free will, which is a precious gift from God himself. A person may choose to go their own way, as we all will have done at some point in our lives, but there is always a way back, and it is for us to keep the door open for our brothers and sisters. Up to the very end point of our earthly lives God does this for us, and we need to this for our beloved brothers and sisters too in everyday life. God gives us so many chances in life and we must to the same. With God’s help we can help people to change their hearts, minds and, God willing, ultimately their souls for the better, but we need to start with ourselves.

As always, please accept an assurance of my daily prayers for your needs and intentions.

God bless and keep you.

Fr Chris