Pope Benedict XVI reminded us in his Lenten Message for 2012 that “the Lenten season offers us once again an opportunity to reflect upon the very heart of Christian life: charity. This is a favorable time to renew our journey of faith… one marked by prayer and sharing, silence and fasting, in anticipation of the joy of Easter.” Our Pope Francis would concur as charity is also so dear to him as well.
The Pope goes on to direct us to have more concerned for others, not to isolate ourselves from others but take responsibility for the good of others with “solidarity, justice, mercy and compassion.” This will move us to feel compassion for those who are suffering.
The Pope tells us that a responsible concern for the spiritual needs of others will move us to live fraternal correction, “warning [our] brothers and sisters against ways of thinking and acting that are contrary to the truth and that do not follow the path of goodness.” Yet it is easier for us to ignore someone else’s fault, to say to ourselves, “that’s their problem,” than to point out their sin and encourage them to change. But to do so is to ignore or condone the evil of sin or to isolate ourselves from the sinner. We must do fraternal correction with gentleness and with an awareness that we too are sinners, made out of the same “stuff” as they are.
To help another person with fraternal correction is to desire his or her eternal happiness. Before giving such an admonishment, we should pray for the person and examine our own conscience to see whether we too offend God in similar ways. This will help us have the proper attitude of humility.
For example, to gently correct someone at work or school for using the name of God or Jesus offensively, you may want to take that person aside privately—so as to avoid embarrassing him. Then let him know how you appreciate something good that he does well— acknowledging that he is not all bad. Then give him the correction gently, perhaps by telling him of your “problem:” that you are aware that he does not intend to hurt you, but when he makes light of the name of Jesus or God you feel as though he was doing so to you… Then you also tell him that you know that you shouldn’t be so sensitive, but that is just the way you are… He’ll likely respond, “Oh, I didn’t know you were so sensitive… let me see what I can do.” Later, because you did not put him on the defensive, he may reflect on his action and see how this may also be offensive to God and others.
Now perhaps as we consider “giving up” something for Lent, let us consider “fasting” by restricting our time on TV, the Internet, phone, messaging, social media, computer games, etc. so that we can have more time to spend with God in prayer and to engage family members, friends, and those who accompany us at different moments of the day. Then we will experience a greater bond with them that will give us more leverage and confidence to draw them to seek holiness, just as we are trying to do.
Fr. John Waiss
Pastor
