Saint Thomas of Villanova
Fraternal Correction
In one of the sermons of St Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD) on fraternal correction, he teaches: "If someone has done you injury and you have suffered, what should be done? You have heard the answer already in today's scripture: 'If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone.' If you fail to do so, you are worse than he is. He has done someone harm, and by doing harm he has stricken himself with a grievous wound. Will you then completely disregard your brother's wound? Will you simply watch him stumble and fall down? Will you disregard his predicament? If so, you are worse in your silence than he in his abuse....
Therefore, when anyone sins against us, let us take great care, but not merely for ourselves. For it is a glorious thing to forget injuries. Just set aside your own injury, but do not neglect your brother's wound. Therefore 'go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone,' intent upon his amendment but sparing his sense of shame. For it might happen that through defensiveness he will begin to justify his sin, and so you will have inadvertently nudged him still closer toward the very behavior you desire to amend. Therefore 'tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother,' because he might have been lost, had you not spoken with him. " (excerpt from Sermon 82.7).
The theme of fraternal corrections runs through this Sunday's readings. In the first reading as Ezekiel is made a sentry (the one who blows his horn when danger comes). He was to warn every wicked person to turn from his or her wicked ways before God would punish him or her. If he wouldn't warn him or her, he would be held responsible for the death of the wicked person, and if he warned the person and the person would not change, the prophet would not be held responsible, he had done his part. This reading teaches us that we are responsible for one another, we cannot as Christians leave someone to die in sin or any other dangerous behaviour while we are just silent or even gossiping and watching. God will hold us responsible if any one of our brothers and sisters dies in such a way while we could have done something. Remember, an act of one person can affect the whole church or community. Let us be each other's keeper.
Jesus in the Gospel expands this theme with a series of teachings. He is aware that despite his presence in the Christian community there are going to be disagreements and misunderstandings in every community and every family. The vital thing is to sort them out and not to let them fester. The Church is full of saints and sinners and when we recognise this and ask for mercy, we are in the way to holiness. Conflicts and division instead of unity and love are becoming common these days even in the church. However, this doesn't mean the church is ending, no. God is present in it and is infinitely more powerful than our sinfulness and can transform us to be his instruments. St Paul tells us that where sin has abounded, grace has abounded all the more (Romans 5:20).
Jesus gives a way to go about fraternal correction in three successive levels. If we truly want to settle a difference with someone, we need to do it face to face; one on one with the one who has hurt us or whom we have hurt. If this fails in its purpose, then the second step is to bring another person or persons, someone who is wise and gracious rather than someone who is hot-tempered or judgmental. The goal is not so much to put the offender on trial, but to persuade the offender to see the wrong and to be reconciled. And if this fails, then we must still not give up, but seek the help of the Christian community. Note the emphasis here is on restoring a broken relationship by seeking the help of other Christians who hopefully will pray and seek a solution for reconciliation based on Christian love and wisdom, rather than relying on coercive force or threat of legal action, such as a lawsuit.
The gospel also shows us the power of Communion. There seems to be a special grace hidden in communion—in working together for the good of others and in praying together. Jesus highlighted both of these aspects in his words to his apostles. Communion in love does not only bring and keep the Lord amidst us but also fosters fraternal correction always so that peace will always flourish in our midst. What we ask in his name when gathered together, Jesus will give it to us. Let Jesus’s affirmation strengthen our faith in the power of intercessory prayer and the great gift he has given us in the Church and our own communities and families. He wishes to make himself present in the world through us in our communities. As he said, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20).
Paul in the second reading gives us only way where fraternal correction can flourish amongst us, that is, living in love. Where there is love, there God is, and thus nom hurting one another, no bad vices and no breaking of any commandment because all commandments are summarised in love. Even when the conflict arises, love moves us to make peace immediately. St Paul therefore encourages us that the only debt we should have in life is the debt of loving one another mutually. Living in love will make us real Christians for everyone will know we are Christians because of our love.
What is the result of not making peace? It is very clear, what we bind on earth is bound in heaven also and what we loose here on earth is loosened also in heaven. There are many souls of our departed friends and relatives loitering in the air and even some in hell because we didn't forgive them when they were here or because they didn't forgive before they died. That unforgiveness cannot take them to heaven until they forgive, or they are forgiven. Of course, forgiving us here on earth while they are in the spiritual might be impossible, but we can unbind them by forgiving them and praying masses for them so that they can enter heaven. Who are the people you have bound with unforgiveness and are being tormented a lot? Make a step to forgive and make peace.
Let us Pray.
Grant, O Lord, in all hearts of your faithful a fervent zeal to make peace with everyone so that we may live in peace here on earth and then enjoy that peace in heaven eternally. May you make us instruments of your peace so that we may help those in conflicts. Amen.
Be blessed.
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