You Don’t Say | PadreCast Second Sunday Ordinary Time

2023-01-15

Now, the sin of gossip, typically falls under the eighth commandment: thou shalt not bear false witness. technically it has to do with lying, but any type of sin in regards to your speech. What you might not know, is that the Saints and the Church Fathers tell us it also relates to the fifth commandment. Thou shalt not kill. Gossip, slander, calumny, these things are a form of murder. Obviously it's not the body of the person that you're killing. It is their good name, their reputation. you are murdering three reputation, and they may never get it back again because of what you said. So it's something to consider, how God will judge us for that sin. the Bible tells us very clearly, that every word spoken casually, without thought or consideration, will be brought before you in your judgement. Every word spoken without thought and intention - every one - will be judged. That's how seriously God takes this.

Now, the sin of gossip, typically falls under the eighth commandment: thou shalt not bear false witness. technically it has to do with lying, but any type of sin in regards to your speech.

What you might not know, is that the Saints and the Church Fathers tell us it also relates to the fifth commandment. Thou shalt not kill.

Gossip, slander, calumny, these things are a form of murder. Obviously it's not the body of the person that you're killing. It is their good name, their reputation. you are murdering three reputation, and they may never get it back again because of what you said.

So it's something to consider, how God will judge us for that sin. the Bible tells us very clearly, that every word spoken casually, without thought or consideration, will be brought before you in your judgement. Every word spoken without thought and intention - every one - will be judged. That's how seriously God takes this.

There's a simple reason why our Lord takes language. words, conversation so seriously. It's because God is the Logos. Jesus Christ, the second Person of the Blessed trinity, is literally the Word of God.

God is Word. And all human words are created and designed by God to reflect His Truth and His Glory. When they don't, it offends Him personally. That's why it's such a grave offense and can be a mortal sin. A damnable offense. . . .

The common mistake that all of us - either past or present - make is if you just need to blow off steam, you're doing it wrong. "I just need someone to vent to! Then I'll feel better and I'll be able to handle it." No, that's still gossip. It's still sinful, and God is offended. Do you think He's going to give you grace to deal with the problem when you're gossiping about it just so that you feel better? Talk to Him.

Does that mean you can't get advice when you have a problem? No, of course you can.

The question is how do you talk about your problems? We know we can't gossip. How do I talk about the issues in my life so that I can improve them? . . .

God does not want you to change the people in your lives. He wants you to love the people in your lives. He will change them.

For us, it is necessary to be silent for the sake of holiness.

Prayer of St Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:

where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console,