The readings today bring a very important question to us: are you on fire? Now, most of us are on fire for one thing or another, be it our work, family, projects, and possessions, just to name a few. But today, we are faced with a far more probing question: Am I on fire for forgiveness?
Many times when there is a disagreement, our first reaction is to take the path of least resistance: go over the person's head to the one who is "over" them. Then we feel satisfied that we "did our job" of fraternal correction.
WRONG!
Our first priority when faced with a concern about a friend, relative or colleague is to confront him or her directly and in private. Then we may progress from there. Many times, our desire to avoid conflict short circuits not only the inherent beauty of fraternal correction, but it also short circuits our ability to actually forgive another person. After all, if the person reforms, we are faced with the task of forgiveness rather than revenge.
Are you willing to let your hands get dirty in the work of fraternal correction? Are you truly on fire for forgiveness?
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