Christianity does not permit us the luxury of indifference. We often say, “Mind your own business. Stay in your lane.” But the Word of God reminds us that, in the family of God, we are responsible for one another. God makes Ezekiel a watchman for Israel. A watchman cannot remain silent when he sees danger. Christian love sometimes requires the courage to speak. To watch someone destroy his faith, marriage, dignity or future and say nothing is not always tolerance; sometimes it is indifference.
Consequently, Jesus teaches us how to correct: privately, patiently and respectfully: “Go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.” The goal is not to win an argument but to “win over your brother.” Hence, St Paul gives us the foundation: “Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another.” Love is the debt we never finish paying.
St Francis understood fraternal correction in this spirit. In his Earlier Rule, he urges brothers who have fallen to be approached with mercy and charity, not humiliation or condemnation. Correction is not the privilege of the perfect but the responsibility of brothers. None of us has arrived at holiness; we are all still being converted. I correct you as a brother because I too need correction. The Christian does not correct because he is better than his brother; he corrects because he cannot afford to lose his brother. Amen.
Fr. Kingsley Nze
Director of Pastoral Affairs
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