Mt 18:15-20 “Brother who Sin”
Looking at the reality that is happening in our society: poverty, crime, injustice, sickness and immorality, one can feel easily that this generation is hopeless. I personally reach the point of rock bottom wherein I already loose hope for this nation. But I know God indeed works in mysterious ways. Amidst this hopelessness he does something to bring back that hope that is about to whither. The death of former president Cory Aquino brought back that hope that gives a spark to inflame the faith of our nation. She was the lamb that was sacrificed to bring us back in our dignity as a nation.
I saw myself among thousands of people lining up to pay my last respect to the woman who brought back democracy in our country. She made me reflect and transcend my views about what’s happening around me. For five short days we were a nation again united to do one thing and that is to “show gratitude and respect,” to a woman who sacrificed so much for our good. I saw that in every individual Filipino people there is still a heart that knows and ready to show respect, appreciation, love and care both to God and to others. These are the characteristics that made us known to the whole world as Filipino. Cory is indeed an icon of faith for she gave us hope, hope that we can change if we just work as one people.
But I asked myself, what did Cory taught me personally that will make me remember her? In my reflections I realize that Cory did not just reminded me that I am a Filipino but she reminded me that I am a Christian, she taught me how to live my Christian faith. Cory reminded me of the core of Christianity and that is Charity. She lives what she believes. She tried her best not to accept compromises as much as possible. What’s wrong is wrong, what is injustice is injustice and it should be corrected for the love and respect to others. She displayed great love to the nation by correcting what was wrong and not closing her eyes about it.
I think this is what our gospel for today is trying to teach us. Jesus said if your brother sins go and tell his fault. Yes, Jesus is teaching us how to correct our neighbors but in the deeper view Jesus in our Gospel today is reminding us that we are responsible for each other. We must not let our brothers be blinded of his sinfulness but we as his brothers are responsible in correcting those who are in sin. We are not to close our eyes and act as if nothing is happening. In our Salesian tradition we have this “fraternal correction” a way of correcting our brothers with the intentions of helping not hurting. Fraternal correction prevents “grumbling” which for Don Bosco will be the distraction of the community and of the society. By acting or closing our eyes in the wrong doings of our brothers we commit the sin of omission, a sin that every Christian should never commit. I believe that among us no one could possibly say that he is perfect and does not need to be corrected. All of us are journeying towards perfection and as community let us help each other in attaining this goal. I personally wish to thank those brothers who readily corrected me before… I might not be here anymore without them reminding me of my duties and responsibilities to the community. Cory tried her best to correct the injustice in our nation. Jesus himself became man to correct us from our wrong doings and he continually fulfills this.
As we continue our Eucharistic celebration let us pray to God that he might grant us courage, strength, compassion in correcting our neighbor as a sign of our love and concern to them. But let us also ask God that he might grant us an open heart to receive compassionately the correction of others to us.
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