Dear Family of God,

Why is fraternal correction necessary?

To correct an erring brother or sister, especially when they are young, is a form of love, we call them tough love. We care enough for them that we don’t want them to persist in error that will result in self-destruction or even lead them to prison in the long run.

Sin is a lack of love. The Catechism of the Catholic Church on paragraph 2083ff explains why different sins are actually a failure of love. 2087 says, our moral life has its source in faith in God who reveals his love to us. St. Paul speaks of the ‘obedience of faith’ as our first obligation. He shows us that “ignorance of God” is the principle and explanation of all moral deviations.” (see Romans 1:18-32) verse 25 says, “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and revered and worshiped the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.”

If we are silent or neglect our obligation to correct our neighbor, then God will hold us accountable. God said through 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 eternity.

May Our Lady of Joy help us all to be her Son, meek and humble of heart.

Yours in Christ through Mary Immaculate.

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