is correction fluid?
"This is an evil age." —Luke 11:29
Jesus told the crowds pressing around Him that their age was evil and that it would be condemned by the queen of Sheba and the citizens of Nineveh at the judgment (Lk 11:31-32). Jesus bluntly and repeatedly corrected people during His public ministry. He even called the religious leaders of His time "hypocrites," "blind guides," "fools," and "whitewashed tombs" (Mt 23:13ff). Those who accepted Jesus' corrections became saints; those who were "defensive" about being corrected became so "offensive" as to contribute to Jesus' crucifixion.
God is Love (1 Jn 4:8, 16). Therefore, He continues to correct us. We can listen to His correction, repent, and become holy, or we can pretend we are "innocent victims." We can go to Confession and wash away our sins through Christ's blood, or we can blame others for our problems and never admit that "the trouble is in our set."
Great saints were often weak and sinful individuals. Yet they became great and holy because they accepted correction after correction. Love correction (see Prv 13:1), for it is an act of God's love.
Prayer: Father, may I want to be corrected because I want to be holy.
Promise: "Through Him we have been favored with apostleship, that we may spread His name and bring to obedient faith all the Gentiles." —Rm 1:5
Praise: Fr. Al Lauer spent his priestly life boldly proclaiming the truth and challenging others to turn their lives completely to God. He was the author of this booklet, and we honor him on this day, the first anniversary of his death.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape Accepting Correction on audio AV 77-1 or video V-77.)
Rescript:
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Giles H. Pater, April 24, 2003
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 28, 2003