Rev.
Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.
FORGIVE
AS FRATERNAL CORRECTION
The fragile
nature of the human person has made it clear that we are not perfect, as we are
likely to offend one another in any relationship we find ourselves. As a result
of this, there is a need for us to learn how to accommodate one another’s
imperfections. But one of the major challenges we face in most relationships
today is the ability to properly accommodate and correct one another especially
when one is straying from the norms set up for the good of the relationship.
This
is what Jesus is addressing in our Gospel passage today, for he gave us the
practical steps we need to follow in order to correct and reconcile with one
another so as to build a stronger relationship when he said, be on your guard for when your brother does
something wrong, reprove him and, if he is sorry, forgive him. And if he wrongs
you seven times a day and seven times comes back to you and says, “I am sorry,”
you must forgive him.’
Here,
Jesus made us know that in fraternal correction we need to forgive in any relationship we find ourselves in,
for we are responsible for one another’s welfare and these steps and stages
give room for reconciliation and accommodation. So, fraternal correction must
always be inspired by real charity which is one of the spiritual works of
mercy. Though, this is never an easy task especially when one has to bear the
sacrifice of forgiveness because forgiving a very grievous offence is one of
the most difficult things to do.
However, forgiving a grievous offence is like recovering a lost treasure that contains:
joy, peace, freedom, a healthy mind and healing. But how often do we seek to
recover this lost treasure in our lives caused by unforgivingness? Hence Jesus
today calls us to persistently seek reconciliation until we gain our
brothers and sisters back whenever they have offended and separated from us.
But if they refused to be reconciled we should pray for their conversion For in
all our proceedings we should seek direction in prayer, knowing that God
manifests his mercy when he transforms people and leads them to conversion.
This helps
us to perceive forgiveness as a fraternal correction as Jesus teaches us and
turns us from selfish and rebellious individuals into truly loving persons. For
we are meant to watch over our neighbours.
Dear friends, it is our duty, obligation
and responsibility to ensure in a fraternal charity that our fellow brothers
and sisters, friends and neighbours, colleagues and collaborators are corrected
and guided whenever they go astray. For every one of us has the
responsibility to strengthen our relationship and be a good example for one
another as we work the path towards our salvation.
Therefore, mutual love and fraternal
charity are the only ways and processes of fulfilling this obligation. Little wonder today
we are told in our first reading to love virtue, you who are judges on earth, let
honesty prompt your thinking about the Lord, let us seek him in the simplicity of
heart. For wisdom will never make its
way into a crafty soul nor stay in a body that is in debt to sin; since the Holy Spirit of instruction shuns deceit.
LET US
PRAY: Heavenly Father, we are rebellious and proud people, we lack the courage
and disposition to correct and accept corrections, give us the grace and
courage to correct one another in fraternal charity as we also learn to accept
corrections when corrected. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have
a blessed week.
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