Question:
A member of my parish was recently arrested for a white-collar crime. I don’t approve of what he did, but he is a great neighbor and a nice person. How should I treat someone like him?
Answer:
There is a litany of expressions that fit this situation: Everyone makes mistakes. Hate the sin, love the sinner. Judge not, lest you be judged. All of these proverbs and sayings highlight the fact that we are here to help each other on the way to salvation. Our hope and goal is that everyone grows in grace, drawing closer to God and to the promise of eternal life. Part of that process is our struggle, collectively and individually, with sin. And that is the ugly part. Sin is not nice, pretty, or inviting when laid out for all to see. Nor is it easy for the person caught in the spotlight.
Kindness and support are not the same thing as approval. We recognize that good people can do bad things and in their struggle, they need the help of others. Our kindness is often the flicker of hope that allows someone to face the consequences of sin while focusing on the promise of redemption. Your desire to help and support your neighbor is the response of grace to sin, and the same response of Jesus to us.
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