Lent with the Early Church Fathers Day 10

Day 10

Lent with the Early Church Fathers

A daily post from Tom Bandy 

Based on Day by Day with the Early Church Fathers (Eds. Christopher D. Hudson, J. Alan Sharrer, and Lindsay Vanker: Hendrickson Press, 1999) 

A Pure Heart 

The Shepherd of Hermas 

Be humble and innocent, and you will be like children who don’t know the wickedness that ruins men’s lives. First, then, speak evil of no one, nor listen with pleasure to anyone who speaks evil of another for if you listen and believe the slander which you here, you will participate in the sin of him who speaks evil. And believing it, you will also have something to say against your brother. Therefore, you will be guilty of the sin of him who slanders. 

Slander is evil and an unsteady demon. It never abides in peace, but always remains in conflict. Keep yourself from it, and you will always be at peace with everyone. Put on a holiness that will not offend with wickedness but be steady and joyful. Practice goodness and from your profit, give to all, for God wants His gifts to be shared among everyone.  

The one who gives is guiltless. They receive from the Lord so as to complete their service by not debating to whom they should give and to whom they should not give. Their service is completed in humility and is glorious to God. Those who minister with humility will live to God. Therefore, keep these commandments as I have given them to you so that your repentance and the repentance of your house may be found innocent and your heart may be pure and stainless. 

TGB: Slander is the way of the world … and especially our world. It thrives on social media because it lacks the accountability of looking another in the eye. The slandered (no matter what political or religious perspective they claim) wants to believe evil of another and is eager to perpetuate a lie for the destruction of another. Truth is sacrificed on the altar of ego. Only humility can restore the truth.