Today’s readings from Scripture direct our attention to God’s gift of speech.
It’s an important topic for us to reflect upon because oftentimes what causes some of our greatest regrets in life isn’t so much what we did but what we said. Perhaps it’s for this reason God created us humanoids with only one mouth, two ears, and two eyes, implying we should listen and observe carefully four times more than we speak.
Sirach reminds us that our words should disclose not only what’s in our mind but also our faults. Think about that: We should be as quick to speak about our faults as we are to tell others what we think! How easy it is to do the latter which is rooted in pride and opinion—especially in these days of polarizing politics, things of this earthly kingdom—than it is to do the former—which is rooted in humility and truth, things of God’s kingdom.
Sirach also reminds us that when tribulation tests us, our words will reveal the content of our character. For this reason, Sirach observes, none of us should judge anyone before they speak, especially anyone who’s thought to be just. Instead, to gauge another’s character, wait to see how that person responds to tribulation. For example, did you know it’s been said human beings can swear in twenty-seven languages after stubbing a toe against the foot of a bed? Now I don’t know if that is a fact, but I do know I can swear pretty well in English whenever I stub a toe against the foot of a bed! Tribulation brings our thoughts and feelings to the fore in the words that flow from our mouths.
To Sirach’s advice, Jesus added in today’s gospel:
A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil; for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks.
All of this scriptural advice should remind us that speech is a gift—the ability to speak words—and it’s such a great gift that human beings through the millennia have attributed this power to God. As Catholics, we speak of the Word of God which we call “life giving.” For example, God has given us the ability to encourage, praise, and bless people with our words and, when we do, they not only feel good but also may themselves express words of gratitude that make us feel good in return.
If our speech is to be life-giving not life-denying, we need to remember continuously throughout each day that God endowed us with this great gift to speak God’s Word in a way that brings others to appreciate it as life-giving. Vulgar and uncouth words as well as cheap shots don’t promote that outcome. For this reason, it should not prove surprising that our “unbridled” words oftentimes get us into trouble, generating chaos both for ourselves and others.
In light of this: How many words have we spoken that harmed others as well as ourselves? Selfish, harsh words strike to the heart, stirring up its worst passions and sowing discord. They damage our relationships, our careers, and the world around us. That’s why abusing this gift is sinful: It spawns death.
In contrast, when we speak God’s word, we communicate the heart’s sentiments, comforting and soothing the bruised, wounded hearts of others, and making known to them the wonders of God’s grace. If we’re to cultivate a fitness for speaking God’s Word, we need to be diligent in our efforts so we will develop the wisdom we need to control our words and strengthen this gift so we will speak God’s life-giving Word. In this way, we reveal God’s glory to others in the words we speak. Our model in this regard is Jesus who taught the unadulterated truth: Principles and holy, ennobling truths. Jesus taught all this without guile, even when he denounced sin and hypocrisy. Jesus’ words spoke directly to the heart and, for those who “had ears to hear,” they were cleansed of any sin and fraud.
“Sleepy” Catholics don’t see the need to guard well the gift of speech; failing to appreciate how it’s a power for good and evil as well. They aren’t careful about what they say because they fail to appreciate what Sirach taught, namely, the words we speak—especially when confronting tribulation—reveal what’s in the depths of the heart. It’s because of this lack of appreciation of God’s gift of speech, the words of “sleepy” Catholics reveal a character that’s been fashioned by evil.
“From the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks,” Jesus reminds “sleepy” Catholics.
Those words represent this week’s challenge from scripture: To speak God’s word.
To this end, select one of the following five practices—one for each weekday—and use it to conduct a memento mori before starting the day.
- Keep guard concerning the words we speak to ourselves. Reacting to negative feelings about the current situation—for example, saying “I can’t do anything right,” “Nothing ever works out for me,” “Nobody loves me”—directs attention to “what’s wrong.” Instead, direct attention stating God’s Word: “Blest are you when you….”
- Focus upon speaking words of gratitude. Rather than speak about how miserable everything is—and there’s lots in life that causes misery—speak words of gratitude to God and others for everything that’s oftentimes taken for granted, for example: spouse, children, and grandchildren; friends; generally good health; sufficient food; hot water, plumbing that works (like flush toilets), the good things done for others, and the like.
- Limit the number of words spoken. This requires developing self-discipline to learn not to talk too much and to be quiet, prioritizing actively listening and attending to what others have to say.
- Use words that encourage, edify, and build others up. This practice builds upon the previous practices because it requires focusing attentively upon others in terms of what they need to hear rather than what we want them to hear. While it’s quite easy to identify and offer solutions, it’s much more difficult listen and encourage, edify, and build others up until they determine what they need to do for themselves.
- Speak the Word of God. This requires, first, knowing God’s Word—the Truth that’s revealed in Scripture and Church teaching and is life-giving—which implies having read and studied it. Building upon this foundation, speaking God’s word requires, second, expressing it so others will appreciate and learn to love God’s word. Using God’s word as a hammer does no one any good.
Each of these five practices cultivate the virtuous use of words so our lives can become a source of blessing for other and not a curse. The sum of these practices will disciple us to recall continuously throughout each day that as wonderful a gift for the good as speech is, it’s one we need to cultivate daily lest we fall into abusing this gift.
Today’s readings from Scripture remind us that the most important dimension of this gift is our daily speech—how we use words for good and ill. Speaking God’s word, our words—those of “WOKE” Catholics—will reveal a character that’s been fashioned by great thoughts, noble aspirations, clear perceptions of truth, unselfish purposes, hopes for piety and holiness revealing what the heart treasures.
This week let’s not allow one word we utter to be spoken unadvisedly and, in this way, “remain firm, steadfast, always fully devoted to the work of the Lord” especially as we hold onto God’s life-giving word, as St. Paul reminded the Corinthians and Philemon. It will be from the fullness of the heart that our mouths will speak.
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