Gossiping –Image: Soda Head(EWTN) Pope Francis spoke last week on the evils of gossiping, saying that ‘someone that speaks ill of his neighbor is a hypocrite that lacks courage to look to their own shortcomings.
Speaking during his homily at morning Mass at the Domus Sanctae Marthae, Pope Francis focus on the fact that gossip has a “criminal” side to it, Vatican Radio reported.
Every time that one speaks ill of another, we imitate Cain’s homicidal gesture the Holy Father said. The seed of Pope Francis’ homily was Jesus thought provoking query: “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?
Jesus speaks to us about the opposite of humility, Pope Francis observed, “…Of that hateful attitude towards one’s neighbor when one becomes a ‘judge’ of his brother.” In this context, Pope Francis pointed out, Jesus uses a strong word “hypocrite.”
“Those who live judging their neighbor, speaking ill of their neighbor, are hypocrites because they lack the strength and courage to look at their own shortcomings. The Lord does not waste many words on this concept. Further on He says He who has hated in his heart for his brother is a murderer. In his first letter, John the Apostle also says it clearly: Anyone who has hated for his brother is a murderer, he walks in darkness, he who judges his brother walks in darkness.”
Thus, every time we judge one in our hearts or worse still, when we speak ill of them with others, we are Christian Murderers, Pope Francis said.
Full article here at EWTN/Global Catholic Network
Related: ‘No Such This as Innocent Gossip’ –Asia News
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