Let us practice brotherly correction and pray together, pope says
» 09/04/2011 13:37
VATICAN
During the Angelus, Benedict XVI says that brotherly correction “is not a reaction to the affront received but an act of love for one’s brother.” Praying together is a sign of a “community truly united in Christ”. Next Sunday, the pope is scheduled to travel to Ancona for the end of the 25th Eucharistic Congress in Italy, which opened today.
Castel Gandolfo (AsiaNews) – “We must practice both brotherly correction, which requires a lot of humility and simplicity of the heart, and praying, so that it might rise to a God from a community truly united in Christ,” Benedict XVI said ahead of the Angelus today, in his reflection in front of pilgrims at Castel Gandolfo.
Speaking about the Biblical readings of the Mass (XXIII, Year A), the pope said, “Brotherly love comes with a sense of mutual responsibility; therefore if my brother is at fault against me, I must use charity towards him and, first of all, speak to him personally.” This, the pontiff noted, “is called brotherly correction. It is not a reaction to the affront received but an act of love for one’s brother.”
“And what if my brother does not listen?” said the pope. “Jesus, in today’s Gospel, tells us to go gradually. First, try to speak to him again with two or three other people in order to help him better realise what he did. If, despite this, he still rejects your criticism, you must tell the community. And if he does not even listen to the community, he must be made to see the gap he has created, by separating himself from the communion of the Church. All this shows the existence of shared responsibility on the path of Christian life. Everyone, aware of his limits and flaws, is called to accept brotherly correction and help others in this special service.”
“Another result of charity in the community is praying together,” explained the pope. “Praying by oneself is certainly important; in fact, it is vital. However, the Lord ensures his presence in the community, which, however small it may be, is united and unanimous because it reflects the reality of God, one and Triune, perfect communion of love.”
“We must practice both brotherly correction,” the holy father said in concluding, “which requires a lot of humility and simplicity of the heart, and praying, so that it might rise to a God from a community truly united in Christ. Let us call for all this through the intercession of the Most Holy Mary, Mother of the Church, and Saint Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor, whom we remembered in yesterday’s liturgy.”
After the Marian prayer, Benedict XVI noted that the 25th National Eucharistic Congress opened in Ancona on the topic “Lord, to whom shall we go”.
“Next Sunday, God willing, I shall have the joy of travelling to Ancona for the Congress’ main event. I send in advance my cordial greetings and blessings to all those who will participate in this event of grace, which loves and praises Christ in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist, source of life and hope for every man and the whole world.
