Here are five very helpful quotes come from St. Jose Maria Escriva about “fraternal correction.”

1. “To practice fraternal correction, which is so deeply rooted in the Gospel, is a proof of supernatural trust and affection. Be thankful for it when you receive it, and don’t neglect to practice it with those you live with.”

2. “When you correct someone, because it has to be done and you want to do your duty, you must expect to hurt others and to get hurt yourself. But you should never let this fact be an excuse for holding back.”

3. “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.”

4. “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.”

5. “There is a great love of comfort, and at times a great irresponsibility, hidden behind the attitude of those in authority who flee from the sorrow of correcting, making the excuse that they want to avoid the suffering of others. They may perhaps save themselves some discomfort in this life. But they are gambling with eternal happiness — the eternal happiness of others as well as their own — by these omissions of theirs. These omissions are real sins.”

We should always remember that Fraternal correction is a two-way street. It is important to receive it with as much charity and courtesy as we would hope to see in those to whom we offer it. We never enjoy being corrected, and receiving it with humility is very difficult. But receive it we must.

Finally, we should never revel in correcting our brother. Yet we should never shrink from offering correction out of fear that we will be called judgmental or harsh. While it is wise to consider the timing, it is potentially fatal to avoid it on a regular basis. Mother Angelica once said, “If you are not a thorn in somebody’s side, you aren’t doing Christianity right.”

Sirach 27:30-31

“Wrath and anger are hateful things, yet the sinner hugs them tight. The vengeful will suffer the LORD’s vengeance, for he remembers their sins in detail. Forgive your neighbor’s injustice; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven.”

Imagine if our bodies did not have the power to physically heal; if every cut, bruise and blemish stayed with us forever. After just a few years of going through life with its inevitable injuries and accidents, we would all be monstrosities; unbearable to look at and unable to function. Thankfully, God has given our bodies this beautiful power of restoration. We are sometimes left with scars, and things take time to heal, but all in all, our ability to regenerate is truly miraculous.

Our ability to heal after spiritual and emotional wounds is just as wondrous, but it is a subtle and complicated process. In many ways, our bodies heal up on their own, needing minimal intervention from us much of the time. However, to heal from emotional wounds requires effort and intention on our part. Unlike our physical injuries, we must choose to be healed from our emotional wounds. In order to choose healing, we have to be able to forgive.

We can contrast the healing power of forgiveness with the poison of resentment. Forgiveness is the releasing of hurt, while resentment is clinging to hurt. Anger can be a natural and healthy reaction, but holding on to it is cancerous. When we choose to hold onto resentments, it is also choosing not to heal. Refusing to heal from our emotional wounds creates just as much suffering and ugliness as if our physical wounds never healed. In this way, forgiveness is just as much for ourselves as it is for other people.

I encourage you to pray before you go sleep at night. Pray with your family or pray by yourself.

Here are a few prayers that you can use. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, 

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Lord, we beg you to visit this house and banish from it all the deadly power of the enemy. May your holy angels dwell here to keep us in peace, and may your blessing be upon us always. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Protect us Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace.