Sunday Homilies with Fr. Mike Schmitz
Sunday Homilies with Fr. Mike Schmitz

09/06/26 Blind Spots: Gossip

September 5, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

Blind Spots: Gossip

The first time you heard a recording of your own voice, you probably recoiled. That shock of recognition—"wait, that's what I sound like to other people?"—points to something deeper. There are parts of yourself you have never seen. You have never seen your own face the way others see it. You have never watched yourself fall asleep or sneeze. And in the spiritual life, the same principle applies: there are things about us that are obvious to everyone around us but invisible to us. These are our blind spots.

The Danger of Acceptable Sins

The sins we repent of are the ones we can see. The dangerous ones are the sins that hide themselves—what we might call "acceptable sins." We rename them. "I'm not angry, I'm just passionate." "I'm not entitled, I just know what I deserve." "I'm not worried, I'm just responsible." "I don't ignore God, I'm just busy." These are sins for which we have developed socially acceptable excuses. They are the blind spots that do more damage to our souls and our relationships than the sins we are ashamed of.

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What you'll learn

  • 1 (00:30) **Gospel Reading & Introduction to Blind Spots** - Jesus' teaching on confronting a brother's sin (Matthew 18:15-20) introduces a new series on "acceptable sins" and invisible vices.
  • 2 (07:36) **The First Blind Spot: Gossip** - Gossip is identified as the first "acceptable sin" in the series, framed by Jesus' command to go directly to the person who wronged you.
  • 3 (10:03) **Why Gossip Is So Destructive** - Gossip is described as a poison that devastates relationships, communities, and parishes more than virtually any other sin.
  • 4 (12:42) **Why We Gossip: Social Cohesion and Intimacy** - Three psychological drivers of gossip are explored: it's interesting, it gives attention, and it creates a sense of belonging.
  • 5 (14:16) **Three Questions Before Sharing** - A practical filter for determining if sharing is gossip or legitimate processing.
  • 6 (16:31) **Scripture's Verdict: God Hates Gossip** - Proverbs 6:16-19 lists seven things God hates, ending with "one who sows discord among his brothers and sisters."
  • 7 (18:28) **Three Character Traits Needed to Stop Gossip** - Before sharing practical tools, Fr. Mike insists on inner transformation: conviction, courage, and love.

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Guests on this episode

Mel Robbins Dave Ramsey Jefferson Fisher

Show Notes

Homily from the Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Gossip is speaking of someone else's faults and flaws with no intention to help them at all.

Gossip can be easy to recognize when someone else is doing it—and surprisingly difficult to see in ourselves. There are times when we need to speak about another person’s faults. But when there is no intention to help them, our words reveal a blind spot of our own.

Mass Readings from September 6, 2026: Ezekiel 33:7-9 Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9Romans 13:8-10

Matthew 18:15-20

Sunday Homilies with Fr. Mike Schmitz

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