Jesus talked to his Apostles about these rules all the way from Capharnaum to Jerusalem. Lest this denunciation of scandal-givers should cause the Apostles to hate them, he emphasized that his law was a law of love; that we ought to pity and pray for whoever offend us.
That we should exert every effort to bring them to a better frame of mind, especially by a brotherly correction. He thought so highly of this matter that he gave them detailed directions concerning it.
“If your brother has sinned against you, go and speak to him alone. If he listens to you, you have won your brother. If he does not listen to you, take with you two or more so the case may be decided by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he still refuses to listen to them, tell the Church. But if he will not hear the Church, let him be as a pagan or a publican.” (Mt 18:15-7)
Our Lord seems to point out how we should deal with trouble-makers, especially innovators. First, we ought to reprove them in private for their errors or scandals. If this fails, they should be reproved before witnesses; even denounce them. If they persist, they must be condemned.
Magnify the wisdom of this rule which for twenty centuries has preserved intact the faith and unity of the Church. How often and how should we forgive?
The Apostles seemed to think Jesus was not clear about these points. In their behalf, Peter asked, “Lord, how many times must I forgive the offenses of my brother? Seven times? Jesus told him, ‘Not seven times; but seventy times seven times’.” (cf Mt 18:21-2) That is, always. Always from the bottom of our heart.
If we carry out our Lord’s directions we shall only be doing to our brother what Jesus himself does to us through his minister in the confessional. We present ourselves there so often; and as often, accuse ourselves of the same faults. And yet he has always forgiven us, and is always ready to do so again, if he sees that we are sincerely humble and contrite.
Let us bless and magnify our Lord’s inexhaustible goodness, patience, and generosity mindful of our unwillingness to forgive the little wrongs we have received; we who have wronged him so terribly.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp581-3
Fraternal Correction: A Christian Duty
God wants us to love our neighbor and desire his welfare, especially his eternal happiness. We cannot remain indifferent towards a person who places himself in peril of damnation or who is not as good as he ought to be. We cannot afford to just close our eyes when we see a relative, friend, colleague or acquaintance whose behavior harms himself and others.
Correcting someone means telling that person face to face about something he is doing and ought not to be doing. It is not synonymous with insulting someone with ill-chosen words simply because that person has annoyed us or has damaged our good name, or has put an obstacle before our personal interests. Obviously, the latter is instead a way of sowing resentment, justifying revenge; sinning against charity.
A person who fulfills the Lord’s precept of fraternal correction does not think of himself but of the other person, whom he sees as a brother. He does not think of his self-interest or his own reputation, but of the genuine interests and reputation of the other person. He keeps in his heart a strong, exquisite love, a deep and genuine friendship which is not afraid of duty, and Christian fortitude, a solid, cardinal virtue.
If we want to fulfill the Christian duty of making fraternal correction, we must beware of a serious fear of displeasing people. A great deal of harm can result by avoiding telling another person simply because it may sound unpleasant. Some may see their friends’ mistakes or know they are about to commit a sin but prefer not to make any move to lead their friends to more upright ways. They can hardly be called ‘friends’.
The desire not to displease people can lead to grievous sins of omission, especially when by our silence, a person carries out seriously evil deeds.
Ref: Cf Fr M Guzman, “Encounters with Christ”, 1990, pp100-01
The Sacrament of Penance and our being merciful to others
God pardons those who pardon others. The mercy we show to others is the same mercy that will be shown to us. ... Through his Death on the Cross, Christ has made all men brothers in a new creation.
God’s mercy is matchless. True mercy belongs to humble souls who understand how much they have been forgiven. “Just as the Lord is always ready to forgive us, so we must always be ready to forgive one another. ... That is why the special sacrament of the Church for forgiveness, the Sacrament of Penance, is such a precious gift from the Lord.
“... God extends his forgiveness to us in a very personal way.
“Through the ministry of the priest, we come to our loving Saviour with the burden of our sins. We confess we have sinned against God and our neighbor. We manifest our sorrow and ask pardon from the Lord. ... through the priest, we hear Christ say to us: ‘Your sins are forgiven’ (Mk 2:5); ‘Go, and do not sin again’ (Jn 8:11). ...” (John Paul II, “Angelus”, 16 September 1984)
A magnificent school of love and generosity, this sacrament of reconciliation renews the soul and vivifies its capacity for pardon. (cf F Sopena, “Confession”, Madrid 1957) “The Church must profess and proclaim God’s mercy in all its truth, as it has been handed down to us by revelation.” (John Paul II, Encyclical, “Dives in misericordia”, 30 November 1980, 13 ) This is every Christian’s task. It is especially urgent nowadays.
Let us ask Our Lady for a magnanimous heart like hers. She can help us avoid grieving over disappointments and injuries. We must also continually grow in our spirit of reparation to the merciful Heart of Jesus.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 5:1.1, 1.3
• Our Lady of Guadalupe, in Spain. This image, which Pope Gregory sent to St Leander, Bishop of Seville, was concealed on the invasion of the Moors with the body of St Fulgentius, in the cave of Guadalupe, where it remained nearly six-hundred years, until Our Lady revealed it to a shepherd. — Mariana, History of Spain. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of Guadalupe / Guadelupa. Spain. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Another feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (in Spain). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
• Our Lady of Guadalupa, Spain (1100’s). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
• Our Lady of Zell. Austria. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of Zell (Mariazell), Austria. (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
• “Maria Zell” (Austria). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
• Maria Zell. Mariazell, Austria. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Our Lady of Siluva. Lithuania. 1608. Lithuanian site. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of the Gate. (“The 2002 Catholic Directory of the Philippines”, p123)
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