Francis decreed that he who had taken away the good name of a brother should have his tunic taken away and that he should not raise his eyes to God until he first restored what he had taken away. This is why the brothers of that time renounced this vice in a special way and firmly agreed among themselves that whatever would detract from the honor of others or smacked of evil talk should be strictly avoided. Rightly and excellently done! What then is a detractor but the gall of humanity, the leaven of wickedness, the disgrace of the world? What then is a double-tongued man but the scandal of religion, the poison of the cloister, the destroyer of harmony?
Saint Francis of Assisi
Celano, Second Life
CHAPTER CXXXVIII
Saint Francis of Assisi
Celano, Second Life
CHAPTER CXXXVIII
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Thank you very much for posting this. How can we ever undo the damage caused by sins of the tongue? Saint Anthony, pray for us!
ReplyDeleteI offer up a prayer whenever I think of my guilt from this grave sin. At this rate, I should spend the rest of my life on my knees!
ReplyDeleteOne good thing about being a Christian is that when you hit your knees, at least you know what to do when you get there...
Pax Et Bonum!