Jesus said to the Sadducees and has said to each of us: "You are very much mistaken" (Mk 12:27). When Jesus shows His love for us by telling us we're wrong, do we thank Him or do we ignore Him? When Jesus criticizes us for not understanding "the Scriptures or the power of God" (Mk 12:24), do we persist in denial and become defensive, or do we repent of making a pretense of religion by negating its power? (2 Tm 3:5) Are we trying to understand the Scriptures, or will the indictment against us on Judgment Day be: "Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ"? (quoted from St. Jerome)

In His mercy, Jesus corrects us. It is a privilege to be corrected by Jesus, "the Way, and the Truth, and the Life" (Jn 14:6), God Himself. "He who loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid" (Prv 12:1). "The man who remains stiff-necked and hates rebuke will be crushed suddenly beyond cure" (Prv 29:1). Therefore, let's thankfully take correction from the Lord. The Lord's correction means there is hope for the future and the grace to grow in holiness. Let's receive His correction and go to Confession regularly and frequently. Jesus wants to say to us: "You were very much mistaken, but you have repented and now see the light."

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, November 29, 1997

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 2, 1997