
Gather round the ole water cooler. Pick up the phone or send off a quick text or email to share the news that I have no right to share. Ridicule, sarcasm, or purposely sharing information about another that will destroy or harm their reputation, most certainly could be part of what Jesus is talking about here. Our society is too complacent when it comes to spreading untruths about others or when it comes to spreading the truth, even though it may ruin a person's reputation. The reading today reminds me that I need to keep a check on what comes out of my mouth when I am tired, hurt, frustrated or jealous. Ouch! I don't like to say or write those words. I don't like to admit that these feelings sometimes disarm my best intentions and I can and sometimes do say something I should not have said. Today's reading is a good reminder for me. Sometimes I gather round the water coolers in my life, at the workplace or at a family gathering, and say things that just shouldn't be said.
Resurrection spirituality calls me to owning my sinfulness and weaknesses. It calls me to know myself as I truly am and to be honest with myself when anger, hurt, frustration, jealousy of tiredness wear me down and have the upper hand in my life. Resurrection spirituality encourages me to do inner spiritual work on myself if I find that I am a jealous person. If I can't let go of a hurt and act out of it, Resurrection spirituality calls me to get the help I need from a friend, a spiritual director or a counselor to ease the power this hurt has over me. Resurrection spirituality calls me to accept my weakness and sin while relying on God's grace to raise me up again. So, if and when I succumb to gossiping or slander or any other uncharitable thought, word or deed, I am encouraged to seek forgiveness in the Sacrament and to begin again, with baby steps to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin, the things that drew me into a situation where I would begin to gossip. Resurrection spirituality calls me to rise above my sins and failings with the power of God.
Jesus, my resurrection and my life, grant that I may always rise with you.
Resurrection spirituality calls me to owning my sinfulness and weaknesses. It calls me to know myself as I truly am and to be honest with myself when anger, hurt, frustration, jealousy of tiredness wear me down and have the upper hand in my life. Resurrection spirituality encourages me to do inner spiritual work on myself if I find that I am a jealous person. If I can't let go of a hurt and act out of it, Resurrection spirituality calls me to get the help I need from a friend, a spiritual director or a counselor to ease the power this hurt has over me. Resurrection spirituality calls me to accept my weakness and sin while relying on God's grace to raise me up again. So, if and when I succumb to gossiping or slander or any other uncharitable thought, word or deed, I am encouraged to seek forgiveness in the Sacrament and to begin again, with baby steps to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin, the things that drew me into a situation where I would begin to gossip. Resurrection spirituality calls me to rise above my sins and failings with the power of God.
Jesus, my resurrection and my life, grant that I may always rise with you.