“Gossip can also kill, because it kills the reputation of the person! It is so terrible to gossip! At first it may seem like a nice thing, even amusing, like enjoying candy. But in the end, it fills the heart with bitterness, and even poisons us.” – Pope Francis

It is woven into the fabric of human DNA to have a certain inclination to gossip. Honestly, I don’t know of any individuals who have not engaged in it, me being one who has (as shocking as that is), even in seemingly harmless ways. Personally, it comes in quick quips that are not intended to be hurtful. I used to call them observations, or even sometimes referred to them as jokes.

Sure, it relieves a certain amount of tension within us when we discuss other people and the happenings of the day. We feel like we are discussing something of importance, or it helps us to feel like we are apart of something. There are many reasons why we do it, and there are many reasons on why they come about. The who is doing what with whom and where, these are all things that we are fascinated by. I firmly believe it is the reason why reality TV is so popular. It gives us the chance to be the outside observer, but still lets us be in the comfort zone, sort of sheltered from the action, and we can always say it doesn’t impact us. We feel like we are apart of the story, without the actual risk of really being involved. It is such an indulgence.

Well, when I read this quote, I had to immediately stop what I was doing and pray for forgiveness. In the midst of our day to day activities, we all tend to get wrapped up in our own environments. It is when we get wrapped up in ourselves that we tend to forget the sharpness that our tongues can bring to the world. Oh yes, even when our words are not directed at the person, they still carry a the same sting. I have been guilty of forgetting this. Sad to say, because I don’t want to think of myself as bringing any harm to anyone ever. I know that I would never intentionally harm someone in any fashion. I do know that I have to pray for forgiveness, and do my best not to gossip anymore.

So, for anyone that I have ever harmed with the words that have fallen from my lips, I am coming to you humbly and asking for your mercy and forgiveness. I pray that anything that I have said did not weigh so hard on you that you can not find it somewhere to forgive my trespasses against you. I pray for your healing and that the Grace of our Lord Jesus come upon you.