The Scripture readings for today include Ezekiel 33:7-9 and Matthew 18:15-20, together providing instruction about dealing with the misbehavior of another. Considering the bullying that sometimes seems rampant (school is starting – prayers for all kids, especially those who seem to be targeted!), it’s too bad we don’t follow these guidelines. First, Ezekiel tells us it is our responsibility to be on watch and to warn others about wrongdoing.
Jesus explains it further in Matthew. If someone wrongs us, we speak to them (No! I don’t like it!) Yes, doing this is hard! Next, if that doesn’t work, we take someone with us, and we speak up again. We might still do this in our current world. But then, we are to take the situation to the whole. This could be church, the classroom, the school, the full group. How often does this occur today?
And then? If the person doesn’t listen and change, s/he is out. In our scenario, this means the bully is chastised, ignored, and separated from the full group. This is the piece we often seem to be missing today. This may be something we need to reinstate – instead of accepting that bad things happen, instead of looking the other way, instead of standing up for the bully (parents listening??), we need to act. If we don’t, then as Ezekiel points out, we become responsible for whatever happens next.