Let us practice brotherly correction and pray together, pope says

(September 05, 2011) “We must practice both brotherly correction, which requires a lot of humility and simplicity of the heart, and praying, so that it might rise to God from a community truly united in Christ,” Pope Benedict XVI said in his Angelus message on Sunday, to pilgrims at his summer residence at Castel Gandolfo. Speaking about the Biblical readings of the Mass the pope said, “Brotherly love comes with a sense of mutual responsibility; therefore if my brother is at fault against me, I must use charity towards him and, first of all, speak to him personally.” This, the pontiff noted, “is called brotherly correction. It is not a reaction to the affront received but an act of love for one’s brother.” The Pope explained that another result of charity in the community is praying together. “Praying by oneself is certainly important; in fact, it is vital. However, the Lord ensures his presence in the community, which, however small it may be, is united and unanimous because it reflects the reality of God, one and Triune, perfect communion of love.” The Holy Father concluded his discourse praying to Mary, Mother of the Church, and Saint Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church. After the Marian prayer, Pope Benedict XVI noted that the 25th National Eucharistic Congress opened in Ancona in Italy on the topic “Lord, to whom shall we go”. He told the pilgrims present that he is going next Sunday to Ancona for the main event of the Congress.