Caring Correction

Message from Fr. Jose Koluthara, CMI

Lord Jesus, help me to give caring correction instead of criticizing and complaining.

My Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today’s readings invite our attention to the watchman’s role given us by God. As believers we are bound to one another by our shared faith in the same God. By virtue of that bond we willingly accept to become responsible for one another in the greater human family we call church. That responsibility includes loving support, service, respect for one another as well as the caring gift of mutual correction.

The first reading (Ez 33:7-9) compares the prophet Ezekiel’s efforts at brotherly correction to that of a watchman or sentinel warning others of the dangers of their wicked ways. While it was their responsibility to warn his contemporaries, it was their responsibility to take his warning to heart.

Paul, in today’s second reading (Rom. 13:6-10), describes the communal bond that binds the members of Christ to one another in terms of an indebtedness of love. That love does no wrong but labours solely for the good of the others.

The gospel (Mt. 18:15-20) offers a “method” of restoring the mutual indebtedness of love once it had been lost through sin. This “method” requires that the brother who loves another enough to correct him should go to that brother vulnerable. The process being taught by Jesus for resolving differences is often the exact opposite of what we usually do. Too frequently when we find fault with another, we take circuitous rather than a direct course of action. We criticise and complain. In effect, we give ourselves over to gossip rather than to growth and to backbiting rather than caring correction. But Jesus recommends that we approach the other one-on-one, with no power. This will make us more likely to ask than to accuse and to seek agreement rather than argument.

In his excellent book titled “Life Together” Dietrich Bonhoeffer, quoting James (5:15) exhorts, “Confess your sins to one another”. If believing sinners do not reach out to one another in this way, then, despite their shared worship, common prayer and all their fellowship in service, each remains alone. In mutual confession and correction, the breakthrough to community takes place; a breakthrough to new life is made possible.