February 20, 2012
Benedict’s Corner is a weekly summary of our Holy Father’s latest words on topics related to HLI America’s mission.
In light of the grave developments that are playing out in our midst here in the U.S. – particularly with respect to the HHS mandate threatening our religious freedom, the battle to preserve the institution of marriage and the ongoing efforts of so many who work tirelessly to advance the culture of life – Pope Benedict’s Lenten message to all of us is particularly consoling and encouraging. (Yes, Lent is upon us. It begins this Wednesday, February 22).
The Holy Father has chosen the theme of charity for his Lenten 2012 message, but not just charity in the form of donations or material aid to the poor, but specifically charity as being actively solicitous for the welfare of our neighbor. And this concern assumes both a physical and spiritual dimension.
First, our Pontiff urges us to truly be concerned for one another, and “not to remain isolated and indifferent to the fate of our brothers and sisters. All too often … our attitude is just the opposite: an indifference and disinterest born of selfishness and masked as a respect for ‘privacy.’” Quoting the Servant of God Pope Paul VI, Pope Benedict lamented that the world today is suffering above all from a lack of brotherhood: “Human society is sorely ill. The cause is not so much the depletion of natural resources, nor their monopolistic control by a privileged few; it is rather the weakening of brotherly ties between individuals and nations” (Populorum Progressio, 66).”
But having true concern for our brothers and sisters also assumes a spiritual dimension:
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.
It is uncomfortable, to say the least, to call someone out on behavior that is harmful; it is so much easier just to turn a blind eye, or to keep to one’s own business. Yet, it is very telling how Pope Benedict stresses that fraternal correction must be motivated by love and mercy and never by accusation or recrimination. Fraternal correction is not a Christian form of jihad; it is not a crusade to defend the cause of right and to slay sinners. Rather, it is to have real faith, a real belief in God and in God’s goodness, and that God in His goodness made us for a purpose, and that if we deviate from this purpose, we harm ourselves. Fraternal correction is not about making sure people are staying in line, not about “imposing” our beliefs on society, but rather is about desiring that everyone in our lives and in our communities and in our nation achieve real human and spiritual flourishing which fundamentally requires adherence to the natural law and belief in Jesus Christ.
This invitation to fraternal correction is also consoling for those of us who are concerned about our nation, and who already are actively engaged in “speaking out against a generation indulging in evil.” It is a confirmation of our efforts, and an encouragement to continue. It perhaps could even be an invitation to pause and brainstorm other ways to break through to our culture. What else could we do to educate about the truth and goodness of human dignity, of the sanctity of life, of the true nature of love? How else could we teach our youth and give them the tools they need to reason? How else could we witness to Jesus Christ and demonstrate our joy and hope, which no evil in this world can tarnish?
As we approach the season of Lent, these reflections from the Holy Father can help us craft our own Lenten resolutions, so that our efforts to grow in holiness encompass our efforts to penetrate more deeply into the public square with the beauty and radiance of the truth.
Melanie Baker is a Contributing Writer of HLI America, an educational initiative of Human Life International. She writes for the Truth and Charity Forum.
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