FRATERNAL CORRECTION
The first reading of today’s liturgy (Ez. 33:7-9) is paired nicely with that of today’s Gospel (Mt. 18:15-20). These readings remind us that we are responsible for one another and can help one another concerning faults within the community. This is tricky, for there is the problem of human respect and the possibility of coming across the wrong way. What would be this person’s response to my words of correction? Can I say something without seeming judgmental? How can my words be a positive affirmation of the good that is being done while also providing gentle correction? Parents have the responsibility to correct the faults of their children. They do this out of love and for the eternal salvation of souls. How can we provide care and help to others who are our peers?
The Prophet Ezekiel provides an instruction concerning our duty to admonish our brother or sister of any obvious immorality: ‘Thus says the Lord: If I tell the wicked, “O wicked one, you shall surely die,” and you do not speak out to dissuade the wicked from his way, the wicked shall surely die for his guilt, but I will hold you responsible for his death. But if you warn the wicked, trying to turn him from his way, and he refuses to turn from his way, he shall die for his guilt, but you shall save yourself.’ (Ez. 33:8-9)
We live in an age in which people don’t want to interfere with others. We would rather not rock the boat or make any waves. But, let’s face it, there are times in which we need to be courageous and let people know that the choices that they have made are not life-giving.
The Gospel speaks of fraternal correction, which should take place in three stages: (1) at the personal level, (2) with two witnesses, and, if need be, (3) by presenting the matter to the Church. “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that ‘every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses’. If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church.” (Mt. 18:15-17a)
“Matters that may be the subject of fraternal correction include all aspects of Christian living, because all of them together make up the context of personal sanctification and the apostolate of the Church. Generally speaking, they would include:
(1) habits contrary to the law of God and the commandments of the Church;
(2) attitudes or behaviors that conflict with the witness that all Christians are called to give in their family and social life, in their job, etc.;
(3) single faults if they represent grave harm to the Christian life of the person concerned or the Church.
When we receive fraternal correction it is important to maintain the right attitude, which can be summed up as follows: supernatural outlook, humility and gratitude. It is appropriate to accept a fraternal correction gratefully, without arguing or offering explanations or excuses, because we see the person who corrects us as a brother or sister who is concerned for our holiness. If we find ourselves annoyed or put off by a correction, we should meditate on the words of St Cyril: “Reproof makes the humble improve but seems unbearable to the proud.” [1]
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[1] https://opusdei.org/en/article/fraternal-correction-a-help-along-the-path-to-holiness/