July 2014
isitation
of Our Lady Parish Newsletter
3500 Ames Blvd., Marrero, LA
70072 (504) 347-2203 vol.org
Good Stewards Know Gossip is the
Snake that Poisons Everyone
Inside
2
~VOL Families Offered
Free Portraits
3
~Where Y’at?
~Archbishop Aymond’s
Synod Session at VOL
4
~Living The Sacrament of
Marriage Through NFP
5
~Made For Love
6
~Holy Day of Obligation
~E-Newsletter
7
~Faith For the Family
Gossip may be the sin I hear people confess more than any other
sin. I don’t count; but, at the very best, gossip is among the top five most
frequently mentioned sins. It’s been that way since I was ordained. If
there has been a change, it’s this. The number of people who confess
gossip among their sins when they confess to me is increasing. And,
that’s a shame.
I believe gossip is often an incredibly destructive sin. I’m in
good company. Here’s what Pope Francis says about gossip. Pope
Francis says gossip “ruins your soul.” Pope Francis also says gossip is a
“temptation of the evil one.” Those are pretty strong words. Pope
Francis says when we gossip we work with the devil to do two things.
First, we work with the devil to harm someone else. Second, by working
with the devil, we become both the devil’s colleague and the devil’s
slave.
Pope Francis adds this zinger. Gossip is an incredible sin of
selfishness. Why? Because we use gossip to tear down someone else so
that we, at least in our twisted thinking, build-up ourselves.
Jesus tells us life is all about love. Our job here on earth is to
love. Everyone! And, of course, Jesus teaches us from the cross that the
essence of love is the willingness of each of us to sacrifice me for others.
To be Christ-like! Gossip is the polar opposite of love. Gossip is me
building-up myself at your expense. And, often, it’s me derisively
(Continued on back cover)