REFLECTION:

A few days ago, I wrote a reflection centered on a simple but important question: Would you rather work with someone who is entitled or someone who is teachable? Most of us would probably choose the teachable person. A teachable person is open to learning, willing to accept correction, and always looking for ways to grow. An entitled person, on the other hand, often believes they already know enough and prefers affirmation over accountability.

Today's reading from 2 Chronicles invites us to reflect on a similar question: Who are the people we keep close to us? Are they people who challenge us to become better disciples, better leaders, better spouses, better friends, and better Christians? Or do we prefer to surround ourselves with people who simply tell us what we want to hear so that we can feel good about ourselves?

King Joash provides a cautionary example. Early in his reign, he flourished under the guidance of the priest Jehoiada. As long as Jehoiada was there to counsel, correct, and challenge him, Joash remained faithful to God and led the people well. But after Jehoiada died, Joash began listening to a different group of advisors. They did not challenge him. They did not call him to holiness. They simply told him what he wanted to hear.

Joash's downfall began when he stopped listening to the people who challenged him and started listening only to the people who pleased him.

That can happen to us as well. We naturally enjoy being around people who agree with us, praise us, and affirm our decisions. There is nothing wrong with encouragement. We all need it. But if we only surround ourselves with people who tell us how wonderful we are, we can become blind to our weaknesses, mistakes, and sins.

The people who truly love us are not always the ones who make us feel comfortable. Sometimes they are the ones who ask the difficult questions, offer fraternal correction, or challenge us to live the Gospel more faithfully. Parents do this for their children. Good friends do this for one another. Mentors do this for those they guide. Even God does this through His Word and through the teachings of the Church.

Perhaps today we can ask ourselves: Who has permission to challenge me? Who can speak the truth to me even when it is difficult to hear? And am I humble enough to listen?

The downfall of Joash was not that he lacked advisors. It was that he chose the wrong voices to follow.

May we have the wisdom to surround ourselves with people who lead us closer to Christ, and the humility to listen when they challenge us to become the people God is calling us to be.