_ 41 _ you say. Observe if such a person is tempted, strays or harbours intentions opposed to the salvation of his soul, or if he is free of such temptations and disposed to receive reprimands and religious instruction. If you see that he is irritated, upset, tempted or angry. speak to him gently rather than abruptly, and lead him gradually so that he may manage to do what is needed for the salvation of his soul. If you consider that he is free of passion and disposed to receive reprimands, commence at the outset with a few and then, if he accepts them well, with more caustic ones. Thus, you will do some straight talking when you see that he is ready to have truth and reason impressed on him. From here, as I have said, lead him discreetly to what improves his conscience. By that I mean, if he loses his temper, dissipate the anger he feels at things he has and shows to you, by blaming what he did in anger to ignorance and not to malice; this is the way he sees things when he is in a rage. Alternatively say that this is because of his sins, and that at some time he did such a thing to his father or mother or other person with whom he had a serious argument and, as a punishment for his action, God allows someone else to
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTg0NzAy