The Telephone Game

Avoiding the rumor mill

Luke 12:1-7

At that time: So many people were crowding together that they were trampling one another underfoot. Jesus began to speak, first to his disciples, “Beware of the leaven–that is, the hypocrisy–of the Pharisees. “There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed on the housetops. I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more. I shall show you whom to fear.

 Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one. Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God. Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.”

          For today’s homily I will need seven volunteers.  Have you ever heard or played “The Telephone Game”?  A group of people stands shoulder to shoulder.  The person at the end of the line is whispered a word or a phrase.  He or she then whispers the word or phrase to the next person, and so on until it reaches the last person, who says the word or phrase out loud.  What usually happens?  The last person hears something very different from the first person!  There are two rules to play: (1) you should only whisper what you hear, and (2) you can only say the word or phrase once.  First, we’ll try a word, “Anticipation.”  Next we’ll try a phrase, “Twenty-two teens typing texts.”  And finally we’ll try a sentence, “Fr. John should be the next pope.”

          Now, what kinds of things do people, even adults, whisper about: good things or bad things?  It’s usually bad things that they know they should NOT say out-loud, so they whisper them.  That’s called a “rumor.”  And rumors hurt people’s reputations.  You see, The Telephone Game is a fun ice-breaker in groups, but in the real world it can break people’s hearts.

          In the gospel today, Jesus says whatever you whisper in the dark will be declared in the day light.  Jesus is telling us not to spread rumors.  Of course, it’s okay to play The Telephone Game for fun.  But don’t play it when it hurts other people.  A friend of mine gave me a very helpful hint in anything I say or write.  He said, “Don’t write anything or say anything that you don’t want to see on the front page of the newspaper.”  Please keep that in mind the next time you play “The Telephone Game.”

          Praised be Jesus Christ!