Caught in the act!

Yesterday, after Mass, I chatted awhile with a couple of pals. Most, if not all, of our conversation concerned others...mutual friends, mutual foes, people we knew, people we'd heard of, and people we didn't know squat about (which didn't stop us from speculating about them).

As we tromped through the snow, the name of a priest we hadn't seen for awhile came up. His mention sparked a lively discussion of the fellow's good points...and not-so-good points.

"He's a great guy, but a real rumor-monger."

"What do you mean? He's one of the most honest person I know!"

"Oh, I didn't mean he spreads lies. It's just that he really enjoys a good gossip."

"Yeah, I know what you mean. The guy's always talking about somebody else."

Suddenly an thundering silence fell upon us, and we each did everything humanly possible to avoid each other's eyes. After a few awkward moments, one of us made an inane — but altogether welcome — observation about the weather.

I'm amazed, and enormously grateful, that amid the din of our chatter about others, God allowed us to hear His gentle whisper about ourselves.