Let the Abbess always bear in mind that at the dread Judgment of God there will be an examination of these two matters: her teaching and the obedience of her disciples. And let the Abbess be sure that any lack of profit the master of the house may find in the sheep will be laid to the blame of the shepherd. On the other hand, if the shepherd has bestowed all her pastoral diligence on a restless, unruly flock and tried every remedy for their unhealthy behavior, then she will be acquitted at the Lord's Judgment and may say to the Lord with the Prophet: "I have not concealed Your justice within my heart; Your truth and Your salvation I have declared" (Ps. 39[40]:11). "But they have despised and rejected me" (Is. 1:2; Ezech. 20:27). And then finally let death itself, irresistible, punish those disobedient sheep under her charge.

We are, finally, responsible for our own choices. We cannot be responsible for the choices others undertake.

As parents, spouses, teachers, employers, colleagues, and friends we may share what wisdom we have. We can encourage. We can teach. We can hold accountable.

But we should not - really cannot (thank God) - choose for the other.

The sheep we would help may be disobedient and will suffer the consequence of their choice. But it is not our task to judge.

They may be a free human being who has found a different way to God. Humility and love are companions of wisdom.