“Through our words, we can wound reputations in a matter of seconds, and the damage can irreparable.” Days later, the Gospel from Mass on Monday is still echoing in my ears and heart. It is a familiar image from the Sermon on the Mount, but one that I probably need to meditate on every day. “Why do you notice the […]
calumny
The Pernicious Sins of Calumny and Detraction
“Instead of sharing the news you heard about someone, why not stop and pray for them instead?” In this age of the internet, it is shocking how easy it is to sin against the eighth commandment. Even good-intentioned people seem to think nothing of retweeting or reposting without stopping to think, “Is this true? Is this beneficial? Is this necessary?” […]
Love in a Time of Social Media
A recent post here on Integrated Catholic Life echoed what I have been thinking about social media lately. Sister Laus Gloriae reminded us of the many sins of the tongue and gave us remedies for overcoming them. As I looked over the list, I thought of how many have been exacerbated, expedited, and assisted by social media. I was speaking […]
How to to Overcome Sins and Faults of the Tongue
To Speak or not to Speak—That is the Question Dear Sister, There is a lot of noise around me—constantly. So much chatter. It seems to me that conversations in general are getting more superficial. I’m reminded of the title of one Shakespeare’s plays. It seems to fit what I am trying to say—Much Ado about Nothing. What are your thoughts? […]
Breaking out of Bad Habits
Ask a Carmelite Sister Dear Sister, I have the bad habit of judging people. As I grow older, the habit grows along with me. I am a very logical person, and it is very painful for me to watch people not get punished for wrongdoing, or hide their misdeeds, or grow wealthy while those of us trying to live according […]