GOSPEL OF THE DAY

From the Gospel according to Matthew

Mt 18:15-20

Jesus said to his disciples:

“If your brother sins against you,

go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.

If he listens to you, you have won over your brother.

If he does not listen,

take one or two others along with you,

so that every fact may be established

on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

If he refuses to listen to them, tell the Church.

If he refuses to listen even to the Church,

then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector.

Amen, I say to you,

whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven,

and whatever you loose on earth shall be lost in heaven.

Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth

about anything for which they are to pray,

it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father.

For where two or three are gathered together in my name,

there am I in the midst of them.”

The gospel of the Lord.

Always Correcting with kindness.

“Whenever I have corrected with gentleness, I have achieved what I intended.” (St. Vincent de Paul)

“For a reprimand to bear fruit, it must be difficult to give and come from a heart free of passion.” (St. Thérèse of Lisieux)

“The way to correct should not be through impatience, but through vigilance and good example.” (St. John Baptist de La Salle)

“Never rebuke anyone without discretion and humility, nor without your own self-awareness.” (St. Teresa of Avila)

There are four necessary characteristics for effective correction: gentleness, freedom from passion, patience, good example, and humility with self-awareness.

Applied to married life:

Jaime: My love, I think I’ve corrected you so poorly in the past that now you’re not open to my corrections, and I understand why.

Teresa: Well, it’s also true that my pride is often present, making me less open to receiving corrections. But it’s true that when you correct me driven by your emotions, I’m less likely to accept it because I don’t trust your judgment in that state.

Jaime: I’m sorry for that, and I promise not to do it again. Okay?

Teresa: I appreciate that, because I truly want to do God’s will, and for that, I need your help.

Mother,

may we correct each other with kindness so that we can help each other grow in you. Praise be to God, who makes us His instruments of love. Amen.