Do the Right Thing

Do the right thing. 

It’s almost cliche to say, but how often do we actually consider that statement — am I doing the right thing? 

When we come to a crossroads in our lives, more times than not, we notice that knowing right from wrong is not the challenge. Even from a very young age, we know in our hearts the difference between the two. It’s having the courage to choose right from wrong, and then act on it — that’s the real difficulty. 

In our daily lives at work and at home, these moments of decision are often small. The consequences of not doing the right thing may not be that significant. Or, there are times when we aren’t really doing the wrong thing, but we aren’t doing the right one either. 

At times like this, it’s important we remember a concept we often hear, but don’t often consider — the near occasion of sin. 

In confession, we pray an Act of Contrition, which often includes this line: “I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin.”

The near occasion of sin inches us closer and closer to sin when we don’t act rightly. It’s the Devil’s plan to get us more and more comfortable with sin. We become frogs in boiling water. 

So, while we might not be sinning or overtly doing wrong, it’s not helping us either. 

Addressing the near occasion of sin in our lives is in many ways ‘nipping it in the bud.’ Ousting sin before it gets started. Stopping the snowball before it gets rolling. 

And, it comes back to doing the right thing, especially in the small moments, so we are prepared for the big ones.