On Correcting those in Error

Once more into the incoherent thoughts that make up my Lectio Divina. This will be a shorter post as I only used one source for my writings - this time being the Reflection section of today's reading from the Prologue from Ohrid. As usual, my paraphrase will be first, followed by my thoughts and contemplations.

The saints were very compassionate towards their fellow man when it came to human weakness, but they were also unyielding when it came to confessing dogmas of the Faith. St. Nicholas - in an apocryphal story - slapped Arius at the First Ecumenical Council. St. Anthony left his desert to confront Arius. St. Euthymius, being unable to debate in a rational manner with Empress Eudocia and the pseudo-Patriarch Theodosius, left his monastery and hid in the desert where he remained until Theodosius was ousted and Orthodoxy strengthened. St. Theodosius (not the same as above) went to Jerusalem during an agitation in the emperor's name against the Fourth Ecumenical Council and the people we frightened by the heretics - being of old age, he still marched into the Great Church as a fearless soldier and declared to the people, "If anyone does not respect the Fourth Ecumenical Council as he does the four evangelists, let him be anathema." All who listened were frightened by those words, and none of the heretics dared to speak against them.

We are told multiple times in the Bible that we should correct those who are in error. Many of St. Paul's letters were written not only to provide instruction, but to correct error in dogma. St. Ignatius wrote against those who reject the Real Presence of the Eucharist, and those who would deny tradition. St. Irenaeus wrote Against Heresies.

Obviously, there is a set precedence from Jesus - who corrected the scribes, Pharisees, and a plethora of others - until even now on correcting error. When we see error we should immediately start taking steps to correct it. If a gentle hand does not work, then use a firmer one. We must be zealous defenders of the Faith.

At the same time, we must also be willing to be corrected when we are in error. We should accept correction with humility, and not let our pride get in the way. We must submit to those over us for they are there to guide us.