John Baptist de La Salle and Saul/Paul

(Twelfth reflection of a series in the Year of Paul)

 Just as De La Salle spent much time in filling out his vision of the dignity of the Brother/Teacher, and the Spirit of Faith, he spends much time on the Spirit of Zeal. In this Twelfth Meditation for the Time of Retreat, John concludes his exposition of his vision of the need for vigilance and ‘correction', as he prefers to call those moments when we need to call a child in our care to responsibility for either their action, or non-action.

"It would be of little value to make reproofs and corrections, if those who make them do not take the right steps to make them well." He goes on to explain what he means by "make them well". He counsels that the Brother/Teacher ought to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in making a reproof with wisdom and in an appropriate manner.  De La Salle then enunciates one of the essential elements in the profession of being called as a teacher: "For people, and even children, are endowed with reason and must not be corrected like animals, but like reasonable persons".  This is an inspirational provision in the entire manner in which we carry out our ministry for those who are given into our care. We need to reprove and correct with justice, helping the child to recognize the consequences of their fault, and try to help them accept the means of correction. This may seem a lot to ask. We are told that we are responsible for the young persons in our classes. Many times we experience both the fault of the person, and the need to act on the spot for the good of both the individual and the rest of the class. Taking time for personal reflection may seem a detriment to the necessity for immediate action. In many ways we could presume that De La Salle would hope that part of our self concept as a Teacher would eventually be enough to be part of our responses. For this ability his advice about prayer, quiet, study and thoughtfulness is paramount. The dispositions of the young person are important. Here De La Salle goes again to the Book of Proverbs: Whoever loves discipline, loves knowledge, stupid are those who hate correction. (Pvbs. 12.1 JB. Trans)

You will have done more good than if you had flattered them with beautiful words: Anyone who reproves another will enjoy more favor in the end than the flatterer. (Pvbs. 23.28 JB.Trans)

De La Salle goes on to quote some interesting statements from Paul to further support his thought concerning the vital impact of reproof and correction for those confided to our care. Quoting from Paul's advice to Titus in dealing with the contention about whether a person need to be of Judaic persuasion in order to follow Christ, he Counsels: "And in fact there are many people who are insubordinate, who talk nonsense and try to make others believe it - particularly those who insist upon circumcision. They must be silenced: people of this kind upset whole families, by teaching things that they ought not to, and doing it for the sake of sordid gain".(Titus 1.10-11). To show another side regarding ‘correction' Paul is again quoted as he counsels Timothy in his leadership of the Christian Community: "Never speak sharply to a man older than yourself, but appeal to him as you would to your own father; treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and young women as sisters with all propriety". (1 Tim. 5.1-2) De La Salle goes on to make another reference to the Scriptures as he fills out his total thought concerning correction. This time he refers to the wonderful narration of the prophet Nathan confronting King David with his murder of Uriah and his abuse of Bathsheeba. Nathan speaks a parable to David about a rich man who had many sheep, but who stole the one sheep of a poor man in order to provide a meal for a guest. "What should be the treatment of the rich man?" he asks David. The King goes into a tirade about punishment and justice. At that point Nathan simply says "You are that man!"( 2 Samuel 12.1-2) De La Salle poses reflection upon these references to the Scriptures for the meditation of the Brother/Teacher on the need for care in reproof and correction.

Reinforcing his support of this tool in instructing those in our care, De La Salle explains, writing: "The result of wise correction is that those receiving it are disposed to correct their faults". If the young person senses that the reproof and correction come from anger, that person cannot help but be filled with determination for revenge. So, the conclusions are that charity and zeal for the salvation of the child is at the basis of your reproof and correction. Doing this will help the children sense a kindness toward them, and even if there is some remuneration needed they will soon come to be grateful that something good has been done for them.

It is most thought provoking to hear De La Salle in these Meditations speak so much about the vocation of the Brothers/Teacher anchored in deep faith and love, and the overflow of that love into an ardent zeal for those given to our care. That Zeal not only moves us to go to any length for the salvation of our young people, but, at the same time, be realistic about the behavior of children and not hesitate by a response appropriate to the behavior, and the desire to do the best for their development and their salvation.

Brother James Loxham