The Lord was an astute observer of human nature.  He was very much aware of how fragile our feelings are and how quick we are to judge each other's motivation. When someone hurts us, instead of going to that person, we presume the worst about the other.  We want revenge.  We tell our friends and ask them to take sides.    In today's gospel Jesus speaks to us about fraternal correction.  He reminds us that if someone should wrong us, we should keep it between ourselves. 
    Before we react to our brothers and sisters, we might want to consider taking our grievance to the Lord.  How have we been hurt or offended?  Is it a bruise to our pride-filled ego?  Is it a genuine wrong which has been done to us?  Would we be as offended if the same abuse had happened to someone else? 
    In today's first reading from the prophet Ezechiel, Yahweh instructs the prophet and all of us to call the wicked person back from his or her evil way.  We live in a society that believes everything is ok as long as it doesn't hurt anyone.  That permissiveness has hurt a great deal.  Children are killing themselves with drugs, gangs, weapons, and diseases.  Parents are so stressed out that they find themselves abusing their spouses and their children.  Well intentioned, but nevertheless misguided, persons are suggesting that abortion and mercy killing should be options for those who seek them.  Who will speak out against these wrongs?
    Paul tells us to owe no debt except the debt that binds us to love one another.  Love does more than ignore our brothers and sisters when they are wrong.  Love demands that we speak out for what is right, as individuals and as Church.