Just a few weeks ago, one evening, our neighbor’s dog started talking (barking), and, at that point, Blaise had to talk back.  Over the last couple years, it has become a nightly routine.  Blaise will run outside through his doggy door and bark and bark and bark.  I don’t seem to mind it.  However, on that evening a few weeks ago, Fr. David mentioned that something needed to be done…training…buying some device…something!  So, I promised I would check it out, and the following week I brought home this miracle device.  It is called the “PetSafe Outdoor Ultrasonic Bark Control Deterrent.”  I bought it with low expectations, but wow!  As soon as Blaise barks outside, it sends out an ultrasonic sound that he dislikes.  And now the barking is gone!  Praise God!

Watching this device in action made me think a lot about fraternal correction.  As soon as Blaise barks, it responds to correct his behavior.  How many of us live among people and put up with their bad behavior without saying anything?  All the while, it may be bugging us or making us depressed to see this friend or family member living the way they are living.  We are in a difficult time when everyone is right, when relativism is at an all-time high, but this shouldn’t change our behavior.  As Christians, we need to embrace the way of fraternal correction.  St. Josemaria Escriva once said, “Don’t neglect the practice of fraternal correction, which is a clear sign of the supernatural virtue of charity. You may find it hard, for it’s easier to be inhibited. It’s easier to behave that way, but it’s not supernatural. And you will have to render an account to God for such omissions….When you have to make a fraternal correction, do it with great kindness—great charity!—in what you say and in the way you say it, for at that moment you are God’s instrument.”  Most of the time correcting someone is not easy or fun.  It must come from a place of love.  Receiving correction can be very difficult as well, but humility makes it easier.

In the gospel today, Jesus warns the people, “If you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!”  But with that call to repent, He shared the parable of the fruitless fig tree.  When tempted to cut it down, the gardener said to give it a year and let him cultivate it, care for it, and give it time to bear fruit.  When the Lord calls us to repent, to change our lives, He does so with great patience, kindness and mercy.  As we correct one another with love, may we do the same.

With kindness and mercy,
Fr. Jeremy

P.S. I’ll see you Thursday, March 27 at 6:30 p.m. while we welcome Fr. David Stavarz home for our Lenten series on hope.