Avoiding a Sin which Makes People Avoid You – Apr 23 – Homily – Fr Terrance

 

Fr Terrance gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Apr 23, 2024, where he emphasizes the importance of edifying speech in building the Christian community, contrasting it with the damaging effects of detraction and slander.

Father discusses the importance of building up the Christian community through encouragement and unity, as exemplified by St. Barnabas in Antioch. This is illustrated in Acts where Barnabas, a man full of the Holy Spirit and faith, encouraged the faithful in Antioch, making it the first place disciples were called Christians (Acts 11:26 - At Antioch, disciples were first called Christians - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/11?26, Acts 11:24 - Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/11?24). He emphasizes the need to encourage and edify others through our words, as instructed by St. Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:11 - Encourage one another and build each other up - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1thessalonians/5?11 and Ephesians 4:29 - Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is good for edifying - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ephesians/4?29.

Father warns against the sins of detraction, slander, and rash judgment, which tear down rather than build up, likening them to the Pharisee's judgmental attitude in the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18:11-12 - The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get' - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/18?11). He highlights the gravity of these sins by referencing the Catechism's condemnation of detraction (CCC 2477 - Respect for the reputation of persons forbids every attitude and word likely to cause them unjust injury - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2477.htm, CCC 2479 - Detraction and calumny destroy the reputation and honor of one's neighbor - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2479.htm).

Father concludes by calling on Christians to embody the virtues that give Catholicism a good name, in line with Our Lady's example, and by asking for the grace to repent and improve in these areas.

For further reading and to deepen understanding on topics related to Father's homily, consider exploring these sections from the Catechism and related YouTube videos:

CCC 2477 - Respect for the reputation of persons - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2477.htm
CCC 2479 - Detraction and calumny - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2479.htm
CCC 1823 - The demand of Christian charity: Love one another - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/1823.htm

00:00 - Introduction and Acts of the Apostles
00:23 - First Christians Named in Antioch
00:51 - Importance of Faith and Encouragement
01:45 - Discussing Detraction and Its Effects
03:26 - Pharisee and Tax Collector Parable
04:43 - Detraction Among the Faithful
07:52 - Biblical Condemnation of Detraction
10:48 - The Three-Tiered Filter: True, Necessary, Charitable

Ave Maria!

Mass: Bl. Giles of Assisi - Opt Mem - http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=121
Readings: Tuesday 4th Week of Easter - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/042324.cfm
1st: act 11:19-26
Resp: psa 87:1-7
Gsp: joh 10:22-30

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=631&r=1796

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and YouTube: https://youtu.be/QPUmZ4ui6W4