Fraternal Correction

by Fr. Jess Ty  |  09/06/2020  |  Weekly Reflection

Dear Family of God,

What is fraternal correction?

Why it is important?

St. Paul said, “Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” Charity is the fulfilment of the law and our being. God who is love made us for love also, only when we love that we will attain true joy in life. Correcting an erring brother or sister especially when they are young, is a form of love. We care enough for them that we don’t want them to persist in error that will be self-destructive or will lead them to prison.

If we are silent, or neglect our obligation to correct our neighbor, then God will hold us accountable. God said through the prophet Ezekiel: “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 die for his guilt, but I will hold you responsible for his death.” Brothers and sisters this is serious, we cannot keep silent when our neighbors are perishing. Death here is not only physical death, but eternal death. It is better to hurt their feelings for a moment now, than for all of us to suffer the consequences of our inaction in eternal death.

Let us get involved in one another’s salvation by receiving and giving fraternal correction, praying for each other that we may all pattern our lives after Jesus and live as true children of God.

May our Blessed Mother help us all to be like her Son Jesus, meek and humble of heart.

Yours in Christ through Mary Immaculate,

Fr. Jess Ty