Readings: Titus 1:1-9; Ps.24; Luke 17:1-6
Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.
WHY WE MUST FORGIVE AND CORRECT ONE ANOTHER IN FRATERNAL CHARITY
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 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 calls us to forgive and apply fraternal correction 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. However, 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, as he changes us and turns us from selfish and rebellious individuals into truly loving people. For we are meant to watch over our neighbours. We must cultivate a good character and show good examples at any stage and level we find ourselves.
Little wonder St. Paul addressing the issues of leadership said to Titus in our first reading today: I told you: that a leader must be a man of irreproachable character; he must not have been married more than once, and his children must be believers and not uncontrollable or liable to be charged with disorderly conduct.
Since, as president, he will be God’s representative, he must be irreproachable: never an arrogant or hot-tempered man, nor a heavy drinker or violent, nor out to make money; but a man who is hospitable and a friend of all that is good; sensible, moral, devout and self-controlled; and he must have a firm grasp of the unchanging message of the tradition.
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 forgiven, corrected and guided whenever they go astray. 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. Let us then be inspired by St. Martin of Tours, whose memorial we celebrate today; his life was truly exemplary to us before God. He was a champion of the true faith amidst several challenges and heresies that were rampant in his time. He protected his flock from the false teachings and helped to guide them down the right path, leading by example through his own virtuous life.
LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, we are rebellious and proud people, we lack the courage and disposition to correct and accept corrections. Through the intercession of St. Martin of Tours, 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. Have a blessed week
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