Holy Unmercenaries and Wonderworkers Cosmas and Damian.
1 Corinthians 5:9-6:11. Matthew 13:54-58.
Read 1 Corinthians 5:9-6:11
In the first part of the Epistle, Paul says some things that might raise an eyebrow for some of us. In particular, this: “[Do not] keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person.”
This directive, not to keep company with a brother or sister Christian who leads a sinful life, might seem harsh or judgmental at first, but there is some very important wisdom here.
Think about the people you spent the most time with and how that has changed over the course of your life. Usually, the more we spend time with people, the more they rub off on us. We tend to become more like them the more time we spend with them. If they’re cheerful and generous, that will have an effect on us. If they’re bitter and spiteful, that too will have an effect on us.
The main point here is to choose your company wisely. Find people who espouse goodness, joy, holiness and spend your time with them. In time, you will become more like them.
But if you tend to spend more time with people who are joyless and far from the Lord in the way they live their life, you will become more like them also.
This is not about judging others but about putting yourself in a position to grow and flourish in virtue.
So choose wisely.