It is an ideal community when fraternal correction becomes a way of life and a way of relating.
Oftentimes, when there is fraternal correction, there will always be personal reactions that cause more trouble than promoting peace.
Nevertheless, when there is a sincere fraternal correction despite negative reactions, it will always flourish because it is the pure way to correct a person.
In synodality, we can work better and reach our goals better with fraternal correction.
We ask ourselves, “When somebody corrects me from my wrong, how do I react?” “Shall I take it against the person correcting me?” or “Should I be grateful that someone is concerned about me?”
What good about fraternal correction? In fraternal correction there is pure love that cares for the other in order to be saved. In fraternal correction there is real freedom. An erring brethren is freed from his or her error. In fraternal correction, our courage is tested to bring out real brotherhood.
Let us not be afraid to correct it. It may cause division but surely God will fix it since it is for the truth, for justice, and peace.
Thus says the Lord: You, son of man, I have appointed a watchman for the house of Israel; when you hear me say anything, you shall warn them for me. 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. But if you war the wicked, trying to turn him from his way, and refuses to turn from his way, he shall die for his guilt, but you shall save yourself. (Ezekiel 33: 7-9)
In fraternal correction we don’t use our life, otherwise it is self-righteousness. We use the commandments of God. We correct with love. You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Brothers and sisters: Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. Love does no evil to the neighbor; hence, love is the fulfillment of the law. (Romans 13: 8-10)
The commandments of God are given to us to perfect our freedom and to guide our relationship. The commandments are given to us to correct our wrongs.
“You shall not commit adultery, you shall not kill, you shall not steal, you shall not co-vet.” (Romans 13: 9)
Catechist Maria asked her grade four pupils, “What is adultery?” One smart grader answered, “Adultery is the sin of the adult!”
If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. (Matthew 18:15) this is a fraternal correction coupled with utmost prudence. If we witness somebody committing a mistake, we react immediately. Sometimes we insult the offender instead of correcting the mistake.
Wrath and anger are hateful things, yet sinner hugs them tight. Forgive your neighbor’s injustice, then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven. Could anyone nourish anger against another and expect healing from the Lord? Think of the commandments, hate not your neighbor, remember the Most High’s covenant, and overlook faults. (Sirach 27:30-28-7)
Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.” (Matthew 18:21)
It means we must forgive generously. Forgiveness is another beautiful aspect of synodality. We move forward together by being generous to forgive.
- Forgiveness may seem defeat in the eyes of man. But it is not a loss in the eyes of God. It is a gain. 2. Forgiveness is freedom. When we forgive, we free others from their slavery of sin and we free ourselves too from slavery of resentments, bitterness, hatred, and anger. 3. Forgiveness is healing. When we forgive, we heal the offender and we heal as well ourselves from brokenness.
I thank you all for the support, prayers, and greetings. The Asia’s Humanitarian Award given to me is because of you.
Reach me at [email protected].
