14. Second Saturday of Advent

Meditations no. 14 (unofficial computer-aided translation)

Fraternal correction stems from charity and justice.

May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

In the Work we are all closely united. My children, I would like you to feel and be convinced of the need to see that we are all members of one single body. God gives us a sure means of strengthening this unity: fraternal correction. Based as it is on both supernatural and human affection, fraternal charity is a guarantee of our unity. A mother showers more love on a child who falls sick. A mother does not abandon her sick child, nor a loving brother his brother, even though the illness is contagious. With fraternal concern we go to the aid of anyone who shows signs of weakness by straying slightly from the path or beginning to fall into defects. We call their attention to the hazard ahead with what the Catechism of the Work describes as an admonishment, full of tact and supernatural sense.

The love Jesus taught us and pours into our hearts impels us to be ever watchful over the holiness of the others in the Work. As the Apostle tells us: Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Furthermore, the virtue of justice leads us to give them everything they need, and everything they are entitled to. God has wished to rely on us to call many others to our family, and he also counts on our cooperation in helping them to become holy. Consequently we have no right to deprive them of the benefits of fraternal correction, which is a sure way of obtaining what we ask of God in today’s liturgy: May we be revealed as the children of light at the coming of your Son.

The supernatural spirit behind fraternal correction.

Fraternal correction stems from the virtue of charity. Its foundation is supernatural, as are the reasons for correcting. We love Jesus Christ in the other members of the Work; they are “other Christs”, and we want his image to shine forth in them. Regardless of our own personal weakness, whenever we use the means the Work places at our disposal to bring out the image of Christ in others, we are sanctifying the whole Work, and enabling it to mirror Christ faithfully.

Blessed fraternal correction! How much it helps to make the path of sanctity joyous and lovable, knowing that the others care for us, that they pray for us, that they nobly say things to our face to help us, that they suffer if we suffer! Besides, fraternal correction is a real need. It is a wonderful medicine, and it exists for a supernatural reason. No one can know himself well, and so he needs the help of others. Fraternal correction is a good remedy for our weakness; it is an effective remedy that is both human and divine. And it is one of the best proofs of charity towards the others, and towards the Work.

If our outlook is supernatural, we can unmask the subtle, deceptive snares of purely human prudence, which cannot stand up to a sincere examination of conscience or a period of prayer before the tabernacle. The fact that we may also have the defect that we are trying to correct in the other person can never be a sufficient excuse for not making a correction. For our model is Christ, and our concern for the others stems from our desire to see the spirit of the Work faithfully reflected.

Similarly, we cannot let ourselves be held back by a false respect for the character, age, or particular circumstances of the one we need to correct, or by the fear of upsetting them. Nothing of this sort should stop us making a fraternal correction. We are urged on by the virtues of charity and justice, following Christ’s example. We have freely contracted this obligation towards the other members of our family.

Bonus Pastor animam suam dat pro ovibus suis. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. You too will lay down your lives, as good shepherds, our Founder wrote, practising fraternal correction with loving concern for one another. Thus you will fulfil with love Christ’s command: compelle intrare (compel them to come in). And you will help them as they joyfully follow their path of dedication and service to God.

If the Lord wanted strangers to be obliged to partake of his banquet, how much more would he want you to use holy coercion with those who are your own family, and sheep in Christ’s same fold! This beautiful coercion of charity, far from diminishing the freedom of others, gently helps them administer it well.

How we practise fraternal correction in the Work.

The purpose of fraternal correction is supernatural; and so the way we practise it must also be supernatural. Moved as we are by charity - by love for God, for the Work, and for the others - we should carefully consider, in God’s presence, the particular point we feel could be matter for fraternal correction. In this way we avoid the danger of being carried away by our own temperament or viewpoint. We consider, in the presence of God, whether the correction in question is applicable. Then we ask for light to see how best to make the correction: giving supernatural reasons, stating things clearly but without wounding, exercising great gentleness so as to reveal God behind our words. Moreover, by consulting the person who has been given a special light for judging, we make sure of the supernatural spirit of the correction, its aptness, and our own good intention.

Once we have made the correction, we feel more closely identified with the struggle of the person we have corrected. And we can continue to help them, through our prayer and perhaps through our own struggle in the very same point that we have just brought to their attention.

To practise fraternal correction in this supernatural way is to put into effect the advice we hear so frequently during Advent: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Once again God makes use of the people around us to show us his paths and to point out those parts of it that need to be straightened.

Our Father repeatedly told us: I insist that fraternal correction is a principal part of our Norms. Though it may at times be hard, it is always fruitful and supernaturally effective. This is so because you will mortify yourselves, speaking clearly and trying not to mortify others. In short, your intention will be upright and you will not be discourteous to anyone.

Let us make use of this Advent to improve in our practice of fraternal correction. It will help us prepare our own hearts and the hearts of others for our Lord’s coming.

Mary will lead us along the divine path of charity, teaching us to be a support to one another; and thus we will find her Son Jesus. I am coming quickly, says the Lord, and will repay each man according to his deeds.