Today’s readings
are about Advice-giving.
Regarding
this I had an incident with a family:
there were
some issues with the mother and daughter.
As they explained some cases, I advised them to be cautious in their “words”. Because there were some “issues in their communication”. But somehow my advice was not that much “convincing” or that of an expert (professional counsellor). After some months they had severe issues between them and had to visit a Counsellor. After some talks he advised the mother almost the same as I told her before some months.
As they explained some cases, I advised them to be cautious in their “words”. Because there were some “issues in their communication”. But somehow my advice was not that much “convincing” or that of an expert (professional counsellor). After some months they had severe issues between them and had to visit a Counsellor. After some talks he advised the mother almost the same as I told her before some months.
I don’t
know whether their problems are solved by the time. I hope and pray so.
I explained
it to say, hardly one accepts an advice.
To take an advice means one is accepting his own weakness;
To take an advice means one is accepting his own weakness;
in
thinking, orientation and dealing the Issues in Life.
And it is not that much great feeling for many to be inferior….
And it is not that much great feeling for many to be inferior….
It is more
difficult to accept the superiority of others’ …
Not only
children, or youth, but even grownup people are reluctant in receiving advice.
There may
be a small percent who accepts the advice of others open minded.
Many, think as William Shakespeare says: “It is a good divine that follows his own instructions”.
Many, think as William Shakespeare says: “It is a good divine that follows his own instructions”.
In Gospel Jesus
commands today to give advice. It is not to be superior. But it is a charity
towards others; towards the community in which we live.
Jesus is
very professional in his advice on advice giving.
he is speaking like a modern psychologist.
he is speaking like a modern psychologist.
At first
one has to be corrected personally.
He knew
that one must not be hurted in correction.
Then Jesus
advises to speak with in the presence of some witness. There too he is
respecting the person.
Jesus
advices the help of a community in a third stage. Now the situation is more
serious.
And to take
distance from the person happens only the last stage.
Jesus is
teaching them to deal with persons with Responsibility and care. Each one is
precious for God. Each step to recover some one is very much important and must
be done with great sympathy and concern.
Prophet
Ezekiel is more rigorous in this matter.
“I have appointed watchman for the house of Israel.“ if…you do not speak
out to dissuade the wicked man from his way, he shall die for his guilt, but I
will hold you responsible for his death.”
Both the
Prophet Ezekiel and Jesus are teaching the same:
one has
responsibility regarding others. He or she is more precious than any cattle
that you own.
It is also
connected with our salvation too, then it is an act of charity.
Even one
hardly accepts an advice, many like to give it…
Jesus knew
the human tendency and asks us to do so.
It is not
that easy to do so, because it requires one’s convincing life witness too.
“In giving
advice seek to help, not to please, your friend”: says Solon the Greek lawgiver
& politician in Athens.
Let us
discover the salvific secrets of Advice.
God Bless us all. Amen!
-
Fr Thomas Kalathil
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