"Christ himself commands us to admonish a brother who is committing a sin"

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"“Being concerned for each other” also entails being concerned for their spiritual well-being. Here I would like to mention an aspect of the Christian life, which I believe has been quite forgotten: fraternal correction in view of eternal salvation. Today, in general, we are very sensitive to the idea of charity and caring about the physical and material well-being of others, but almost completely silent about our spiritual responsibility towards our brothers and sisters. This was not the case in the early Church or in those communities that are truly mature in faith, those which are concerned not only for the physical health of their brothers and sisters, but also for their spiritual health and ultimate destiny. The Scriptures tell us: “Rebuke the wise and he will love you for it. Be open with the wise, he grows wiser still, teach the upright, he will gain yet more” (Prov 9:8ff). Christ himself commands us to admonish a brother who is committing a sin (cf. Mt 18:15). The verb used to express fraternal correction - elenchein – is the same used to indicate the prophetic mission of Christians to speak out against a generation indulging in evil (cf. Eph 5:11). The Church’s tradition has included “admonishing sinners” among the spiritual works of mercy. It is important to recover this dimension of Christian charity. We must not remain silent before evil. I am thinking of all those Christians who, out of human regard or purely personal convenience, adapt to the prevailing mentality, rather than warning their brothers and sisters against ways of thinking and acting that are contrary to the truth and that do not follow the path of goodness. Christian admonishment, for its part, is never motivated by a spirit of accusation or recrimination. It is always moved by love and mercy, and springs from genuine concern for the good of the other. As the Apostle Paul says: “If one of you is caught doing something wrong, those of you who are spiritual should set that person right in a spirit of gentleness; and watch yourselves that you are not put to the test in the same way” (Gal 6:1). In a world pervaded by individualism, it is essential to rediscover the importance of fraternal correction, so that together we may journey towards holiness. Scripture tells us that even “the upright falls seven times” (Prov 24:16); all of us are weak and imperfect (cf. 1 Jn 1:8). It is a great service, then, to help others and allow them to help us, so that we can be open to the whole truth about ourselves, improve our lives and walk more uprightly in the Lord’s ways. There will always be a need for a gaze which loves and admonishes, which knows and understands, which discerns and forgives (cf. Lk 22:61), as God has done and continues to do with each of us. "

Pope Benedict XVI

vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/lent/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20111103_lent-2012_en.html
 
Note please how Pope Benedict XVI discusses that we all need this kind of brotherly help…and that we need to take the right attitude and approach.

Sometimes in the forum there can be two different errors.
  1. That we ought not to correct others…that it is somehow rude etc per se.
  2. On the other hand sometimes one can indeed be doing so – in a not good way…without that gentleness and love…
It is part of “Moral Theology” to discuss sins and such…but it is important to do so with that gentlenss etc. Truth with Charity.

And it is important for us to “receive” such a correction from our Brothers…we all need it!

“Scripture tells us that even “the upright falls seven times” (Prov 24:16); all of us are weak and imperfect (cf. 1 Jn 1:8). It is a great service, then, to help others and allow them to help us, so that we can be open to the whole truth about ourselves, improve our lives and walk more uprightly in the Lord’s ways. There will always be a need for a gaze which loves and admonishes, which knows and understands, which discerns and forgives (cf. Lk 22:61), as God has done and continues to do with each of us.”
 
“Scripture tells us that even “the upright falls seven times” (Prov 24:16); all of us are weak and imperfect (cf. 1 Jn 1:8). It is a great service, then, to help others and allow them to help us, so that we can be open to the whole truth about ourselves, improve our lives and walk more uprightly in the Lord’s ways. There will always be a need for a gaze which loves and admonishes, which knows and understands, which discerns and forgives (cf. Lk 22:61), as God has done and continues to do with each of us.”
 
A note though for those who struggle with scruples…discuss with your “regular confessor” in terms of if you ought to be engaging much “fraternal correction” --for at times one who is scrupulous (or struggles to some degree with scruples) is not yet in a good place to be doing much of this…for they can see sin where it is not… or are not yet in a place to do so prudently or know when to speak and when not etc…(I note this for I know some who are in such a boat come to these forums).
 
But Jesus also said:
And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words: going forth out of that house or city shake off the dust from your feet.
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Which means, fraternal correction doesn’t have to be relentless…especially when it’s not welcomed. One can teach people a lot by their living example if they don’t alienate the person on the receiving end. It does little good to offend them so that they don’t consider anything one says anymore…that’s a very big loss too.
 
Rence said:
But Jesus also said:

Which means, fraternal correction doesn’t have to be relentless…especially when it’s not welcomed.
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Right! Prudence…prayer…love…truth…all go together.
But as to the Moral Theology Section here-- when arguing for the truth (with love and gentleness) --there will be alot of repeating 🙂

(But such is the nature of the forum.)
 
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