FRATERNAL CORRECTION

One of the most difficult and delicate duties of a Christian is fraternal correction, that is, to correct a sin-ful member of the community. It is because we are called to be prophets and to speak the truth. Truth will set us free. All of us are brothers and sisters in Christ and we are called to imitate Him who is the greatest brother and sister’s keeper. He died for all of us, giving all and lov-ing to the end. Fraternal correction reveals that love nev-er fails. The goal is not punishment. It is reconciliation and healing of division. No one is beyond God’s grace, mercy and love. A Christian life is not a private or purely personal affair. We don’t go to heaven alone. We go to heaven by bringing others closer to God. We are called to participate in the life of God today. He wants all to be saved. Therefore, our life today is training ground to learn how to love so that we are ready to be in that perfect love we call heaven. In the Gospel of Matthew (18:15-20), Jesus gives a three step procedure for dealing with a sinful community member. First is a one on one dialogue which is a direct, discreet and private interven-tion motivated by love and concern. The goal is to bring back the offender to the community. It is to bring back the brother face to face with the loving demands of the gospel. It is not to gossip the brother. It is not also to turn a blind eye to a sinful behavior. All sin is serious because it separates us from God. The second step is to take one or two witnesses for a face to face dialogue. The Church is called to be deliberate, careful and fair in its discipline. The goal is to remove the sin and to restore the brother to the community. The last step is to tell the Church. If the offender refuses to listen to the Church, the call is to treat him as a gentile or tax collector. Gentiles are non believers and tax collectors are considered traitors by the Jews because they work for the Romans. Both are outcast and outsiders. This is a drastic step which is not to be taken in the spirit of revenge or vindictiveness but out of real concern for the well being of the whole  Community. The process is a  difficult and challenging duty. That is why Jesus promises  to be with us until the end of time. The Holy Spirit is Hiseternal presence, our aid and helper in times of need. Fraternal correction is a sacred duty of a Christian. We need the grace of the Holy Spirit so that we are empowered to witness that love never fails.