P. Daniel Antonio de Carvalho Ribeiro, SCJ
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus presents to his disciples three teachings on how to be true evangelizers. This counsel can also be seen as three essential steps in being leaders and educators after the model of the gospel.
First, Jesus teaches that a blind man cannot lead another blind man. Here we can see the necessity of the knowledge of the truth. Only the truth sets us free (Jn 8:32). In a world where many think that the truth of the gospel must be fashioned according to what the majority believes, Our Lord teaches us that He has brought us the fullness of Revelation, which cannot be manipulated according to the desires and subjective interests of anyone. Not a few times I was asked if the Church would approve abortion, same-sex marriage, concubinage, marriage of priests, etc. Usually, these people say that the Church needs to update itself, as this would attract more faithful. Here it is worth remembering that the Church does not exist for herself. It exists to defend and propagate the depositum fidei (deposit of faith) revealed by Jesus and not to create new doctrines according to individual convenience. Therefore, the first step for someone to become a true Christian leader, is through a process of self-knowledge of their faith. This can only happen through the study of Catholic Christian doctrine. This will bring peace and joy, because believe me: the faith taught by the Church is arduous, but it does not fail anyone.
Second, to remove the beam from one’s own eye before removing the speck from the eyes of others. There is a tendency in human relationships where people don’t like to be corrected. It is as if they were saying in a passive way: I do not correct your mistakes, and you do not speak of mine and we live in peace; or even, you have no credibility to correct me because you also make mistakes. The gospel, however, says that we must correct others. Leaders, parents and educators have the responsibility of correcting those under their care. Correcting is a gesture of love. Those who loves educates. However, before correcting others, it is necessary to go through a process of self-evaluation and personal correction. This will give us moral authority and credibility when we speak. In my first years as a priest in Brazil, a person came to me to confess and told me all the sins of her husband, her neighbor, her priest and some other people from her community. Relieved, she waited for the absolution. So, affectionately said to her: you can bring your husband, your neighbor, the priest and the people of your community, I already know their sins and I am ready to give them absolution. I think she got the message and then learned that before we take the speck out of the eyes of others, we must first take clean our own eye, and then she made her own confession.
Third, is the proof of the fruits. By the fruits we know the trees. This teaching implies that one should not rely on words or appearances, but on deeds and outcomes. The fruits are initially actions of the Holy Spirit in the soul of the evangelizer and of the one who listens to the Word. As St. Ignatius of Loyola teaches in his spiritual exercises, when we are in the truth we have peace in our hearts. A true leader does not depend on human applause and validation, the certainty of being in service to God is the greatest of rewards. Many parents must be clear about this so as not to be discouraged. There are parents who teach the truth, try to live a life of holiness, but sometimes fail to see the fruits in the lives of their children and grandchildren. In these moments we must remember that God respects the human freedom of each one, that His time and ours are not the same and that there are seeds that we plant here on earth whose fruits we will only see in heaven.
Knowing the truth, striving first for our own conversion and having peace in our hearts are signs that the Holy Spirit is working in us and is transforming us into true Christian guides. This is a lifelong process that requires humility, perseverance, much prayer, and the awareness that God is love. Let us pray that each of us may see the other with the eyes of Christ and may give the other the gaze of love that he needs.
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