We can minimize the effects of others gossiping about us when we have a solid foundation in God
Every one of us has experienced the effects of people gossiping about us or talking behind our backs. None of us likes that experience, and it’s not the kind of attention we look for. It is not a sign of unity and belonging. Yet we sometimes allow that murmuring to affect how we live. The Scriptures for the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time offer guidance and wisdom on dealing with that nagging noise.
We’re not proud of every moment of our lives. In fact, some things about us are embarrassing, and we often fear people finding out about them. Sometimes other people act out of jealousy or anger and spread rumors that might embarrass or shame us. It digs into one of the deepest fears of all human beings. We all need to belong and to be loved, and we fear that when people come to really know who we are, they will reject us or not want to be around us. We will be alone.
The prophet Jeremiah gives voice to that fear. Jeremiah actually had people who were plotting to kill him and were doing everything they could to undermine his authority. He expresses his frustration with that, but in the end calls out to God and asks God to be faithful, even if others are not. Jeremiah eventually trusts God’s grace more than the murmuring of those around him. But for Jeremiah and for Jesus, it is more than willpower or great thoughts that keep them from buying into the fear that evil and darkness will overcome their life. The Gospel passage offers us that deeper wisdom.
For us to be one with God and to belong to God, is not about our perfection or our good deeds. If that were true, we would all be outside the goodness of God because we are all sinners. We are not perfect. The Gospel reminds us that our connection with God depends on His initiation of love, not on our sins. Out of that vast amount of unconditional love that God offers to us, He only asks that we give witness to His greatness to those around us and to the world. Since most of us do not have a pulpit to preach from or are not known as public figures, we depend on the example we set in our lives to receive praise from God. If we do love God and trust His love, we are freed from the worry about what people say about us because we have a solid foundation in the one who loves us unconditionally.
But why are we so vulnerable to that fear of being abandoned? For some of us, it has to do with issues of abandonment from our childhood or early adulthood, but for most of us, it is because we don’t take enough time to develop a deep and personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We tend to only move toward a relationship with Jesus when things are very tough and we feel like it is out of our control. Then we resort to prayer. No other relationship in our lives can be sustained by only running to that person when we’re in trouble. Good relationships take constant connection and understanding. Our prayer life and our spiritual existence is meant to be that daily deepening of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It means sharing what is most precious and intimate with Jesus, not pretending as if He doesn’t already know what we’re about to say. He knows it, and He loves us. We find in Him a safe and secure place to bring our whole life, not just what we think makes Him happy. Be free from the nasty noise and enjoy the peace of being one with Jesus.
