Monday of the Third Week of Easter
Saint Luke is the author of both his Gospel and Acts of the Apostles. In Acts, Luke makes purposeful connections between what happened to Jesus and what happens to his apostles and disciples. This is especially true in the story of Stephen the deacon and proto-martyr.
Like Jesus, Stephen had false accusations hurled at him by his detractors. They presented twisted half truths against him. What happened to Jesus at his trial happens to Stephen at his trial. False accusations are hurled at him from left to right and he refuses to respond.
Such gossip is alive and well in our day-to-day lives, too, even among Christians. In Catholic circles this sometimes takes the form of something called “parking lot conversations.” Gossip kills reputations. Gossip destroys those who have no chance to respond. Gossip then takes on a life of its own. It can cause permanent injury and is difficult to undo. Gossip thrives in many places of work.
Perhaps the next time we are tempted to gossip or take part in it we might recall Stephen the first martyr. And Jesus whose life was taken largely from false testimony. Gossip we engage in can take the insidious form of killing the good reputations of others and causing permanent harm.
None of us like being the victims of gossip. Nor should we like to spread it. Gossip is a demon. Let us exorcise gossip by refusing to take part in it. This we can do.
—Timothy J. Cronin