Gossip? Not here: Daily Mass Homily--Monday, January 26th, 2015

(Listen to this homily here).

            When I was at St. John’s, I remember talking about an experience I had with Fr. Rich.  I can’t get into details, but it was understanding how much people talk about priests.  I said to Fr. Rich, “It is amazing that I would take someone’s deepest darkest sins to the grave.  Then these same people could go out and think nothing of gossiping about me!” 

            I don’t share this to start a pity-party, martyrdom, or a “woe is me” mentality.  (In fact, priests can be the worst gossipers.  We get together and often do so—this is something I am trying to work on, as is my priest support group).  I simply want to say that I have experienced the devastating effects of parish gossip first-hand.

            Jesus gives us words on which we should periodically reflect: “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.  And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.”  Gossip leads to division, and it has no place in our parish.

            We must remember that we are on the same team—the same family.  No one should experience detraction or behind-the-back negative whisperings.

            St. Paul wrote two letters to our saint today—St. Timothy.  Do you know one of the themes of these letters to this young priest?  Unity.  In fact, one of the consistent emphases of St. Paul’s letters—and the entire New Testament—and Jesus’ own teaching—is unity.  Thus I believe I must bring up this topic frequently.

            In our world, it is easy to point to outside sources of divisive evil—ISIS, violent crimes, egregious theft, infidelity and the like.  Yet we must realize that the cure to division takes place first in our own hearts.

            If Jesus, Paul and the other apostles consistently examined things like gossip and detraction, so should we.  May we continue to grow in unity and joy!