Right but wrong

In today’s first reading, St. Paul wrestles with the thorny problem of leading others astray while doing nothing wrong.

Perhaps we drink a glass of wine from time to time, never near the point of impairment. We are not doing anything wrong, but in certain situations we could be encouraging others whose drinking would get out of control or otherwise cause harm.

Perhaps we play games of chance, purely for entertainment and to an extent that is well within the bounds of prudence. We are not doing anything wrong, but perhaps our gambling may encourage others whose gambling would get out of control or otherwise cause harm.

Perhaps we are skilled at employing “mental reservations” – being very careful in what we disclose of the truth without actually telling a lie. We may not be doing anything wrong, but we may be leading people astray about the truth and about honesty and integrity.

Perhaps we are living with someone with whom we are not having a sexual relationship. We may not be doing anything wrong, but perhaps we are giving scandal nonetheless, or encouraging others whose passions would get out of control.

We cannot control what other people think nor can we let the opinions of others deter us from doing what is right, yet the conscientious Christian must always give prudent consideration to the impact of one’s own words and actions on others. Perhaps we may be able to explain everything properly and truthfully, but perhaps an effective explanation may not be possible at a given time and place.

Also, if we always find it difficult to explain what we are doing, we should consider the possibility that we have been rationalizing a behavior that is truly wrong.

That which we do may not be objectively wrong, but it might be subjectively wrong for others and so we may need to refrain, for we are, to a very real extent, our brother’s keeper.