Monday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Intention: For a spirit of conversion within all people, one that opens our hearts to the ways of God and the needs of his people, especially those who suffer the injuries of the world’s injustice.
Today’s Gospel | Luke 8:16-18
Jesus said to the crowd: “No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light. Take care, then, how you hear. To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away.”
From the Twelfth Meditation for the Time of Retreat | Saint John Baptist de La Salle
The result of a wise correction is that those receiving it are disposed to correct their faults, whereas when correction is administered through passion and without God in view, it serves only to turn the disciple against his teacher and to arouse in him feelings of revenge and ill will, which sometimes last a long time, because results are generally related and similar to the cause that produces them.
If, then, you want your corrections to have the results they ought to have, administer them in a way that can please God and those who receive them. Take care, above all, that it be charity and zeal for the salvation of the souls of your students that lead you to correct them. Show them so much kindness when you give corrections that although you might cause them pain, they will not be angry at you but will show you gratitude for the good you have done for them, great regret for their faults, and a firm intention not to commit them again. From this very moment, be disposed to use the means needed to carry out this resolution.
Prayer
Eternal Father, our work and responsibilities lie before us today and we look to you for strength. If we go forward and stumble or fall, be the arm that supports us. Bless us with the faith to be light and the fire to carry on. Make us alert to whatever would distract or deceive us, and allow your love to shine through us and touch the hearts of others, especially those entrusted to our care. We make this prayer through Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.