June 28, 2017 - Can’t Take Back Gossip
The Gossip Story . . . (or watch the video)
A woman was gossiping with a friend about a man she hardly knew. (I know none of you have done this). That night she had a dream….a great hand appeared over her and pointed down at her. She was immediately seized by an overshelming sense of guilt. The next day she went to confession with the old parish priest, Father O’Rourke. She told him the whole thing. “Is gossiping a sin?” She asked the old man. “Was that the hand of God all mighty pointing the finger at me? Should I be asking for your absolution Father? Tell me, have I done something wrong?” “Yes you ignorant, badly brought up female. You’ve borne false witness against your neighbour. You played fast and loose with his reputation and you should be ashamed.” The woman said she was sorry and asked for forgiveness. “Not so fast”, said O’Rourke. “I want you to go home. Take a pillow up on your roof. Cut it open with a knife. And return here to me.
So the woman went home. Took a pillow off her bed. A knife from the drawer. Went up the fire escape to the roof and stabbed the pillow. Then she went back to the old parish priest as instructed. “Did you cut the pillow with a knife?” He said. “Yes Father.” “And what was the result?” “Feathers.” “Feathers.” He repeated. “Feathers everywhere Father.” Now I want you to go back and gather up every last feather that flew out on the wind.” “Well,” she said. “It can’t be done. I don’t know where they went. The wind took them all over.” “And that …..”, said Father O’Rourke, “….is gossip.”
Good Feathers …
(Reposted from 2012)
