Admonish the Sinner

“Stop judging, that you may not be judged.”

“Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye?” (Matt. 7:1, 3)

We are reluctant to criticize others, probably because we don’t take criticism very well ourselves. We often rely on the above statements of Jesus in order to justify avoiding standing up for the principles of our faith when dealing with others or commenting on actions by politicians or public figures. However, that is exactly what we are called to do - judge the actions of others, not them personally.

In fact, we have a duty to warn people of their sinful actions. God told Ezekiel that he had an obligation to warn “the wicked from their wicked way.” And God told Ezekiel he would be held accountable if he fails to warn the wicked who dies because of his iniquity. (Ezek. 3;17-21) God repeats this admonition again in chapter 33, “When I say to the wicked, ‘You wicked, you must die,’ and you do not speak up to warn the wicked about their ways, they shall die in their sins, but I will hold you responsible for their blood.” (Ezek. 33:8)

If you were with a friend, or even a stranger, and they were about to drink poison, or step into some deadly hazard, wouldn’t you warn them or try to prevent their harm? This is why admonishing the sinner is an act of love, especially where serious sin is concerned. They are putting their immortal souls in danger and trying to prevent that is an act of love, not condemnation. Any condemnation is done on their part. God doesn’t send people to hell; they choose it willingly. St. Paul tells warned us about who will be able to enter heaven. “Do you not know that the unjust will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived, neither fornicators nor idolaters nor adulterers nor boy prostitutes nor sodomites nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Cor 6:9-10) In a similar way, warning or admonishing the sinner and educating them on correct behavior will hopefully get them to divert from evil practices and return to God. The first message of Jesus was “Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15)

Putting this in a secular setting, suppose you had a worker who was not performing, say in a government job. Most of the time in a government job a position must be vacant for months before the vacancy can even be advertised. From a practical standpoint, it is better for your workplace to turn the offending worker around than to even threaten dismissal. It is better for you and your office, firm, business, or whatever. This is especially true where some significant training is required for that position.

Similarly, “friends don’t let friends drive drunk.” You might even consider trying to restrain someone from leaving a bar, obviously incapacitated, from getting behind the wheel - not just for their sake but also for the sake of others on the street who may be put in danger. You want to protect the ones you love, and we are called to love our neighbor.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) tells us we “have a responsibility for the sins of others when we cooperate in them: ... - by not disclosing or hindering them when we have an obligation to do so; [or] by protecting evil-doers.” (CCC 1868) Furthermore, while we should have compassion for sinners, that does not mean we condone their sin.

Election season will soon be here. We need to tell our politicians (and especially those who claim to be Catholic) that we object to their participation and even encouraging sinful and intrinsically evil policies such as abortion and gay marriage. Furthermore, voting for such politicians makes you complicit in their sin. For example, the Catechism tells us that abortion is an abominable crime. It also identifies homosexual acts as “acts of grave depravity” and “intrinsically disordered” (CCC 2357), yet society tries to present them as normal, without even a mention of chastity to which we all are called.

The Catechism tells us “The works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in his spiritual and bodily necessities.” (CCC 2447) Admonishing the sinner is one of the seven spiritual works of mercy. Unfortunately it seems that many today, clerics and laity alike, have succumbed to the wiles of the devil and his degradation of the secular world, which more and more condones sin rather that correcting behavior. St. Paul and St. John both warn about the dangers of the world. (Rom 12:12; 1 John 2:16-17) “... mortal sin ... is accepted in practice and tolerated in our society as if it were just another part of our way of life.” (Fr. William Casey, You Shall Stand Firm)

Part of the goal is to change the behavior of others and turn them to Christ and his commandments. Remember how Christ described the return of the lost sheep. “I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.” (Luke 15:7) St. Augustine encouraged admonishing the sinner, “Rebuke causes useful pain such “that you may seek the Physician [God]; for it is not profit unless it makes a man repent of his sin.” (St. Augustine, On Rebuke and Grace) Unfortunately, it seems that many in the Church have lost the distinction of being in the world, but not of the world and have given in to material things rather than spiritual.

Silence is consent.

“To recoil before an enemy, or to keep silence when from all sides such clamors are raised against truth, is the part of a man either devoid of character or who entertains doubt as to the truth of what he professes to believe.” Pope Leo XIII, encyclical Sapientiae Christianae, January 10, 1890.

The seven corporal works of mercy:

1. Feed the hungry.
2. Give drink to the thirsty.
3. Clothe the naked.
4. Shelter the homeless.
5. Visit the sick.
6. Visit the imprisoned.
7. Bury the dead.

The seven spiritual works of mercy:

1. Counsel the doubtful.
2. Instruct the ignorant.
3. Admonish sinners.
4. Comfort the afflicted.
5. Forgive offenses.
6. Bear wrongs patiently.
7. Pray for the living and the dead.