Episode 44: To Gain a Brother

Episode 44: To Gain a Brother

From Desert Fathers with Bishop Erik Varden by Exodus 90

October 28, 2025 · 13 min

About this episode

Bishop Varden discusses the importance of fraternal correction and how to approach a brother living in sin with patience and love.

When a friend or relative has been living in sin, how should we respond? Do we confront him and risk pushing him away? Or do we stay silent and thereby condone the sin? In this episode of Desert Fathers, we find a middle way. An elder discovers a brother living a secret double life. Instead of calling him out, the elder waits patiently. When the right moment comes, the elder offers a small but sincere gesture to the brother—which opens the door to repentance. Fraternal correction seeks to win our brother back, rather than assert we’re right. Bishop Varden unpacks the elder’s example so we too can act with patience, wisdom, and love. __________ This January, take up the example of the Fathers and embrace a life of prayer, asceticism, and fraternity. Leave behind the pharaohs and idols that keep you enslaved and take up the journey to the promised land. Join tens of thousands of men from all around the world for the Exodus 90 Challenge. We start January 5th, 2026. Download the Exodus 90 app or visit exodus90.com to learn more. Visit desertfathers.com to join our email newsletter for updates and reflections. __________ We owe a special thanks to our partners. Desert Fathers with…

People in this episode

Host: Bishop Erik Varden

Topics covered

  • fraternal correction
  • patience
  • wisdom
  • love
  • repentance
  • spiritual guidance

Keywords

  • fraternal correction
  • sin
  • repentance
  • spirituality
  • Christianity
  • patience
  • wisdom

Sponsors

Exodus 90

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: EWTN

More episodes of Desert Fathers with Bishop Erik Varden

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Desert Fathers with Bishop Erik Varden podcast page.