The Hermit Dislodges Detraction Once Again

Of course, it is the Holy Spirit who does the dislodging, but the hermit cooperates as best a mortal can. Detraction is so tricky.

Today is the Feast of St. John the Apostle, the beloved disciple and quite the mystical writer. He is the only apostle who did not die a martyr's death (although endured much persecution, exile, and the trials of old age). The hermit prayed at Mass, asking St. John to please help the hermit with what is written--to have what is written and spoken come from within the Sacred Heart--that Heart upon which St. John leaned his head and listened to the Loving Heart Beat.

Thankfully, my regular confessor celebrated the Mass and heard confessions after. The hermit had more questions about detraction and went over a recent stimulating interchange of thoughts from a commenter to this blog site. The confessor made some clarifications on detraction. He said that Jesus spoke in generalities of what the Pharisees and Sadducees were doing, and although they felt it was about them, it was to help others to learn and to not be led astray. So he said on a public forum, it is best to write in generalities.

However, if someone is leading others astray through incorrect teaching or writing or speaking, then the person needs to be corrected; that would not be detraction. Jesus was trying to correct incorrect behavior and teachings.

Yet, again, he said that it is best to write or speak in generalities, and the hermit realized and confessed that there were descriptors used, and thus it surely went over the line into detraction--a kind of imbedded detraction. The example the confessor gave was to write in general, that we should not use a label of the Church, such as of a consecrated religious name, if we are not in an approved religious community or have left it. He said that, however, if others have corrected or challenged in a public forum or even privately, there is no need to jump on the band wagon.

The next issue was that of envy. The hermit submitted that perhaps there was envy that the hermit could not see within self, but was it there? The confessor said that this is not a particular cross for the hermit, but that others may have that one--and the hermit chimed in that the hermit has these other faults, yes! The confessor pointed out that one must not confess a vice that one does not possess. But that it is good to examine oneself if another--(he said even if someone who does not know the person interiorly)--accuses; good may be culled, all the same.

We moved onto the topic of, if there is not envy, then does being content with one's state in life mean the person is proud? The confessor said, no, that this is a grace and to be thankful. However, the hermit (and the confessor) know that the hermit does have pride and like a whale underwater, spouts visibly from time to time.

[The spiritual da at one point told the hermit that it is one thing to practice virtues, but the soul that seeks union with God must practice virtue to an heroic degree. This means going beyond in effort, in seeking the least and doing the most to our God-given abilities.]

In the confessional, the hermit gained greater appreciation for the innerworkings of the sin of detraction and how to avoid even the subtle aspects. Later, when the cousin called, we had a very good discussion about detraction. We each shared examples of when we had detracted, and how we could re-word or re-think the words or thoughts, or stifle them altogether. The hermit pointed out again, when asked, that detraction is the taking away of someone's essence or value by revealing their faults or weaknesses to another. Yes, it might be true, but it has lessened that person in the sight and mind of others. But, if that person is leading others astray, then that person should be corrected, and that would not be detraction. Usually the correction can be done privately with the person leading others astray; if not, it can be done publicly, but in a very general way of explaining how something should be done correctly.

Yes, the hermit is set aright again, thanks be to God and His Sacrament of Penance! The confessor gave a very meaningful penance, and the hermit prays for what was suggested. It will only improve the sharing, the writing, the loving hope for all our souls on the narrow path!

In leaving the confessional, the hermit asked permission for a "hermit question". Yes. Is it not a hermit task to be a lector? Is that too visible, too public? (The spiritual da had thought it a very good job for the hermit, especially since no one but the rector and another priest there knows the hermit is a hermit.) The confessor felt this a fine offering of the hermit, as the hermit only lectors one weekday Mass per week, and anonymity is not at stake. It was stated that he desires those who comprehend the Word of God and are able to read so that others can hear clearly.

The hermit may be dislodging, by the grace of God and power of the Holy Spirit--detraction many more times. But each dislodging with confession, strengthens the will and sharpens the intellect against this yapping sin.

A hermit of yore wrote: Go into your cell, and your cell will teach you. There is good in this, and the hermit is in Agnus Dei, awaiting in the silence on a cold, snowy day, further instruction.