The WORD in other words (2018) by Fr Ross Heruela SVD – Palawan
32nd Week in Ordinary Time
The current administration received several rebukes from some quarters because of extra-judicial killings (EJK) in its campaign against drugs. Erring bishops and priests as well received the same treatment by the Church’s authority. Members of the church who have created scandals either in faith or morals were admonished too.
This situation is actually not new. To reprimand someone who errs is part of Catholic Christian tradition. It is Jesus telling us to do it.
In the gospel, He says, “Things that cause sin will inevitably occur, but woe to the person through whom they occur. It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck and be thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin” (Lk. 17, 1-2). But He adds that if a sinner repents, he/she should be forgiven.
Rebuke in the Catholic tradition is not person-centered. It is not against the person who sins but rather against the sins committed by the person because the Church holds that the person is greater and more valuable than the sins he/she committed.
Thus, when the Church rebukes, she expresses her love and concern to the person who errs. She does not want that any of her members will stray away from the love offered by God.
