Friday, May 30, 2025
Feast of Saint Joan of Arc
My sisters and brothers in the Lord,
Welcome to week twenty-two of BMW, Be My Witnesses. We are now in our third week of being witnesses out there. And this is the end of our third cycle of prayer, learning, belonging, and being on mission. This week let us reflect on the spiritual work of mercy, admonishing the sinner.
Mission: Admonish the Sinner
None of us is very good at this, offering fraternal correction. Yet, Jesus affirmed: “But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:19). And there are many reasons why we might be reluctant to be this kind of “greatest in the kingdom of Heaven.” First of all, we are all sinners and Jesus even warned us, “Stop judging, that you may not be judged….
Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:1, 4). Given that we all have beams, we are reluctant to move ahead with any correcting of another. Nonetheless, we are always to hate the sin while we are loving the sinner.
Yet, Jesus then continued: “You hypocrite, remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother’s eye” (Mt 7:5). It is not that Jesus is discouraging fraternal correction. He wants is done properly, by first examining ourselves.
In fact, in Matthew 18, Jesus provides a clear direction about how we might admonish the sinner, once we have removed our own beams. He tells us, first, to talk with our brother or sister. Notice, this is not an enemy we are trying to help. St. Paul is clear about this: “Do not regard him as an enemy but admonish him as a brother” (II Thess 3:15). If no progress is made, we may be assisted by another, who has similarly gone through the same preparation we have. Finally, one can approach the Church for help in addressing this recalcitrant member of our faith family.
Why is this so important? It is a matter of eternal salvation. Jesus once stated: “What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?” (Luke 9:25). For his own sake, even St. Peter was rebuked by Jesus who called him a Satan when we was trying to discourage Jesus’ advance toward the Cross (Mt 16:23).
We want everyone to be reconciled back to the Father (see II Cor 5:20). In addition, there is benefit to us if we exercise this ministry of reconciliation. “My brothers, if anyone among you should stray from the truth and someone bring him back, he should know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20).
The Challenge
For this week’s challenge, role play with a good fellow believer on correction of some sin in the other, and then trade places. This may be good practice for when the time will demand it. Parents may wish to do with this a spouse or even with a teenager!
Until next week, may God Bless you.
I am sincerely yours in Christ,
+ Earl Boyea
Bishop of Lansing
P.S. Below is a video version of this week's Be My Witnesses. Please do share with family and friends. Thank you. God bless you.