October 28, 2024 Daily Dose of Discernment

“If you hear something bad about a friend, ask him about it. It might be a lie. Don't believe everything you hear. A person can slip and not mean it; who has not sinned with his tongue?” (Sirach 19:15-16)

There's this allure of gossip that intrigues people and makes them buy its absurdity hook, line and sinker. They are entertained by it at the expense of unfortunate victims and, if they happen to not like them, spread it and rejoice at their misery.

We are commanded not to judge the servant of another because to his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. At the minimum, may we default to giving our brother the benefit of the doubt and recognizing their inherent goodness as God's creation. May we sincerely desire and pursue their good in prayer, at least, and in tangibly helpful ways.