The moral importance of Fraternal Correction (its not Judging)

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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 from message for Lent 2012

vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/lent/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20111103_lent-2012_en.html
 
Fraternal correction is not “judging”.

blog.adw.org/2010/06/correcting-the-sinner-is-not-being-judgmental-it-is-an-essential-work-of-charity/

blog.adw.org/2009/11/fraternal-correction-the-forgotten-virtue/

(I will note though that some here struggle with scruples and thus have difficulty distinguishing between what is sin and what is not etc…in which case they may need to seek the direction of their regular confessor…for they may not yet be in a good spot to be giving many such “fraternal corrections”)
 
However, it’s important to judge everything against truth.
Apart from commanding the woman found in adultery to “go and sin no more” the Christ commanded us to:
“Stop judging by appearances, but judge justly.” (Jn 7:24).
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will know them” (Mt 7:15, 16).
“Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. So by their fruits you will know them.” (Mt 7:19-20).

And St Paul, following the Master:
“Test everything: retain what is good.” (1Thess 5:21).
“The spiritual person, however, can judge everything but is not subject to judgment by anyone.” (1 Cor 2:15).
“I, for my part, although absent in body but present in spirit, have already, as if present, pronounced judgement on the one who has committed this deed…” (1 Cor 5:3; read 1-13).
“I am speaking as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I am saying.” (1 Cor 10:15).

“Beloved, do not trust every spirit but test the spirits to see whether they belong to God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 Jn 4:1).

“I know your works; I know that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of my mouth.” (Rev 3:16).

That is precisely why we judge actions, speech, writing against true teaching as to what is good and what is evil, and we know what is good and what is evil only by following the teaching of His Church – not by our opinions, desires, prejudices, feelings, wants – selfism.

Jesus has commanded “Stop judging, that you may not be not judged.” (Mt 7:1; read 1-5). Thus we are commanded not to judge others regarding their motives, intentions, and guilt before God (a judgment reserved to God).

We can’t judge according to truth by being mesmerized by others and giving them adulation, but according to the teaching of Christ’s Church, Her Tradition and Her Scriptures.
 
True Christian charity demands fraternal correction. In the name of tolerance it has been ignored and forgotten.
 
Bookcat said:
"“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)…

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…

–Pope Benedict XVI from message for Lent 2012

vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/lent/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20111103_lent-2012_en.html
Click to expand...
Before one, and here I am referring to the American Church, admonishes, one needs to look to the mirror. Christ Proclaimed the Kingdom to the Jews first.

I have chosen not to have my children participate in certain activities, did not state why but when asked to explain, which they shouldn’t have anyway, all I said was that I prefer not to have them participate, I was accused of “judging”. Really?!

One doesn’t have to “speak” anything to be accused of such. All you have to do is choose not to participate.
buffalo Re: The moral importance of Fraternal Correction (its not Judging)
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True Christian charity demands fraternal correction. In the name of tolerance it has been ignored and forgotten.
Click to expand...
Mainly by the American Church. That is the problem. One more may leave, and that means one less green back.🤷

Blessings
 
buffalo said:
True Christian charity demands fraternal correction. In the name of tolerance it has been ignored and forgotten.
Click to expand...
Agreed. The Church teaches that we cannot judge the state of someone’s soul, but we can judge their behavior.

The spiritual works of mercy are:

To instruct the ignorant;
To counsel the doubtful;
To admonish sinners;
To bear wrongs patiently;
To forgive offences willingly;
To comfort the afflicted;
To pray for the living and the dead.
 
virtueseeking said:
Before one, and here I am referring to the American Church, admonishes, one needs to look to the mirror. Christ Proclaimed the Kingdom to the Jews first.

I have chosen not to have my children participate in certain activities, did not state why but when asked to explain, which they shouldn’t have anyway, all I said was that I prefer not to have them participate, I was accused of “judging”. Really?!

One doesn’t have to “speak” anything to be accused of such. All you have to do is choose not to participate.

Mainly by the American Church. That is the problem. One more may leave, and that means one less green back.🤷

Blessings
Click to expand...
I submit more was lost because none of this was taught or preached. The American Church because of fear has not challenged us to grow towards God. The soft stuff is preached. We have Mass attendance at 25%. Again, because of tolerance. People recognize watered down teaching. They do not respect it.
 
buffalo said:
We have Mass attendance at 25%.
Click to expand...
And many of those are just going through the motions, openly dissent from teachings, don’t believe in the real presence, never go to confession, etc. Its actually worse than many let on. Having said that, I am hopeful for the future. The younger generation of priests and laity seem to want the real thing.

Peace,
 
"This “custody” of others is in contrast to a mentality that, by reducing life exclusively to its earthly dimension, fails to see it in an eschatological perspective and accepts any moral choice in the name of personal freedom. A society like ours can become blind to physical sufferings and to the spiritual and moral demands of life. This must not be the case in the Christian community! The Apostle Paul encourages us to seek “the ways which lead to peace and the ways in which we can support one another” (Rom 14:19) for our neighbour’s good, “so that we support one another” (15:2), seeking not personal gain but rather “the advantage of everybody else, so that they may be saved” (1 Cor 10:33). This mutual correction and encouragement in a spirit of humility and charity must be part of the life of the Christian community. "

Pope Benedict XVI

(same)
 
jwinch2 said:
And many of those are just going through the motions, openly dissent from teachings, don’t believe in the real presence, never go to confession, etc. Its actually worse than many let on. Having said that, I am hopeful for the future. The younger generation of priests and laity seem to want the real thing.

Peace,
Click to expand...
Yeah, that is it - they want the real thing. 👍
 
Bookcat said:
““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 from message for Lent 2012

vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/lent/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20111103_lent-2012_en.html
Click to expand...
Amen. 👍
 
Bookcat said:
Fraternal correction is not “judging”.

blog.adw.org/2010/06/correcting-the-sinner-is-not-being-judgmental-it-is-an-essential-work-of-charity/

blog.adw.org/2009/11/fraternal-correction-the-forgotten-virtue/

(I will note though that some here struggle with scruples and thus have difficulty distinguishing between what is sin and what is not etc…in which case they may need to seek the direction of their regular confessor…for they may not yet be in a good spot to be giving many such “fraternal corrections”)
Click to expand...
Which is why it must come from the Church first.

This is probably not your point here, but an action does not necessarily have to be sinful to be in need of, maybe not an admonishing, but a warning, more so because of where it may lead. Personally more of these should be taking place for it may keep them from needing a true admonishing, therefore would seem to be more charitable, for one kept their neighbor from true sin.
buffalo Re: The moral importance of Fraternal Correction (its not Judging)
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Again, because of tolerance. People recognize watered down teaching. **They do not **respect it.
Click to expand...
Because they know it lacks TRUTH. The truth always prevails. Teach the truth and many more will leave, but they will see sooner and run back.
Bookcat Re: The moral importance of Fraternal Correction (its not Judging)
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"This “custody” of others is in contrast to a mentality that, by reducing life exclusively to its earthly dimension, fails to see it in an eschatological perspective and accepts any moral choice in the name of personal freedom. A society like ours can become blind to physical sufferings and to the spiritual and moral demands of life. This must not be the case in the Christian community! The Apostle Paul encourages us to seek “the ways which lead to peace and the ways in which we can support one another” (Rom 14:19) for our neighbour’s good, “so that we support one another” (15:2), seeking not personal gain but rather “the advantage of everybody else, so that they may be saved” (1 Cor 10:33). This mutual correction and encouragement in a spirit of humility and charity must be part of the life of the Christian community. "
Click to expand...
Pope Benedict XVI
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All benefit, because by doing so, it tends to keep one in check as well. Fail to do so, you risk graces to prevail against the same temptations. And continued exposure.

Blessings
 
“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.”

Pope Benedict XVI
 
“The Church’s tradition has included “admonishing sinners” among the spiritual works of mercy. It is important to recover this dimension of Christian charity” --Pope Benedict XVI
 
jwinch2 said:
Agreed. The Church teaches that we cannot judge the state of someone’s soul, but we can judge their behavior.

The spiritual works of mercy are:

To instruct the ignorant;
To counsel the doubtful;
To admonish sinners;
To bear wrongs patiently;
To forgive offences willingly;
To comfort the afflicted;
To pray for the living and the dead.
Click to expand...
Very insightful! Thanks:)
 
Speaking out in love sounds easy, but in reality it is very difficult. Even within our own families, or at least in mine, the truth is not well received when it conflicts with what the person percieves as a greater good for themselves. An example that recently came up in my family relates to my neice a 22 year old woman who is a miserable mess. She has gone from one man to antoher, being used and abused, then discarded for the past four years. she was in a famly gathering and was complaining about weight gain due to taking birth control pills. Her grandmother is my sis in law. I commented to her that birth control pills are really not good for your health and suggested that she might want to consider getting off the pill especially since she is not living with a man at this point and has her own place. I asked her to think about why she thinks she has to take birth control even now. After the niece left, my sis in law let me have it! She wants her on the pill so she doesn’t bring an unwanted child into this world. I understood her logic, but asked her to take a good look at her grand daughter and see how miserable she is, being used by men over and over and having no self respect at all. This escalated into her telling me I could not judge her. I persisted in saying I was not judging her as a bad person, I was seeing that she is in emotional pain and spiritual darkness and really needs a good role model to step up and help her. I was told to “butt out” in no uncertain terms and things have not been good with our relationship since then. I don’t regret what I said at all and am considering trying to approach my niece myself and offer her some alternatives through an excellent dvd “Extreme Makeover” a good catholic teaching tool about sexuality and chastity.
All I’m saying is, really, speaking the truth won’t win you any popularity contests. But maybe you can help a soul who’s lost come to Christ in the end.
 
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