Gossiping with Teresa

I tried to gossip with Teresa of Avila as we walked down the path. This person we both know had done something really foolish, and I wanted to tell Teresa about it because I thought she’d want to know. I don’t know why I thought that.

I said, “I don’t think this is gossip, but…”

She stopped me, “Any sentence started like that is definitely gossip.”

I said, “Oh, well, let me put it this way…”

She interrupted me again and said, “We should hide the sins of others as if they were our own. Never talk about other people’s faults. The whole world and everybody in it is a mirror. Self-reflection is the work you should devote yourself to because it will lead to humility. If you are granted the gift of humility, other people’s faults will be meaningless to you. You won’t even notice them anymore. Instead you’ll be overwhelmed with compassion for your neighbors and love for God.”

I had no idea what she was talking about. I thought maybe she was having a bad day. Or maybe I was having a bad day. I’m still not sure.