Saturday May 17, 2008: 3:1-10; Mark 9:2-13

St. James speaks to us today about the power of the tongue. The tongue can be used to bless and it can also be used to curse. How many quarrels and disagreements results from the improper use of the tongue? Gossiping is a serious problem in our society today. People are always speaking unfavorably about other people. The definition of gossip is simple: it is something you say at the back of someone and you cannot repeat it in his or her presence. The problem with gossip is that most of the things that are always said are not true or are half truths. The Seniors in the high school some months ago had a very wonderful resolution for the whole school. “Spread good rumors about fellow students whenever you are tempted to gossip.” Gossiping brings divisions in the Christian family and it is not the kind of family that Jesus Christ wants. We are all one body in Christ. Why not we learn from our high school seniors today? Whenever you think about saying something uncharitable about someone, spread a good rumor about one wonderful thing the person has done.