Lent Day 40: Negating the gossiping community

Humans are story tellers. It is but natural that people speak, share stories and update what is happening in their life and in their village, town or city. But there is a very thin line between story and gossip. Even though a story is also about what happened in someone’s life, it is more or less true. But a rumour and gossip are based on hearsay, imagination and even lies. A story can be positive whereas a rumour or gossip is negative.

During Jesus’ time, both these kinds of sharing information existed. There were stories which were intended to strengthen the community and give hope to them. There were also rumours and gossips which were shared among people who didn’t have much work or who concentrated on such things instead of their work. Rumours and gossips were also made on Jesus and even he did not escape this. Many people try to brush this away by saying that these things are harmless but the actual damage it could cause is very dangerous and painful for others.

Many stories have been written on village gossip. The plot is how some people spread rumours to unsettle someone or to cause a reaction. It may also be for making fun of someone and is sometimes construed as harmless humour. Some people have a way with sarcastic humour and they are weaved into the story. During Jesus’ time there are several instances when we see negative storytelling and rumour and gossip. People whispering behind his back that he was the son of a carpenter is one of those instances.

We see something unique in St. Mark 8:26. After healing the blind man, we read, “Then he sent him away to his home, saying, “Do not even go into the village.” Jesus is reluctant to send the man to his village. There are instances when he sends a healed man to the priest or to the temple, but in this case that does not happen. When we look around, rumours and gossips rule in our churches and communities. Instead of stories of strength and hope we see rumours galore in communities. This demoralizes people and pushes them to the brink of death. We should realise that healing is not enough, acceptance after healing is the real challenge. Amen.