mighty mouth
"Praise no man before he speaks, for it is then that men are tested." —Sirach 27:7
When we open our mouths and speak, we open our inner selves and reveal publicly:
- our "heart's abundance" (Lk 6:45),
- our faults and sins (Sir 27:4), and
- the bent of our minds (Sir 27:6).
Therefore,
- be "slow to speak" (Jas 1:19),
- don't talk too much (Prv 10:19), and
- "let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for edifying, as fits the occasion, that it may impart grace to those who hear" (Eph 4:29, RSV-CE).
"All of us fall short in many respects. If a person is without fault in speech he is a man in the fullest sense, because he can control his entire body" (Jas 3:2). This coming Lent, let Jesus be Lord of your mouth, the Holy Spirit purify your tongue, and the Father be glorified by your every word.
Prayer: Father, I will open my mouth for You to fill it (see Ps 81:11).
Promise: "You know that your toil is not in vain when it is done in the Lord." —1 Cor 15:58
Praise: Alleluia! Jesus is risen! He will raise us from the dead if we believe in Him (Jn 11:26). Alleluia!
Reference: (Ladies, there is still time to make plans to join us for our annual Lenten retreat for women, At the Cross her Station Keeping, March 15-16. Call 513-373-2397, e-mail retreats@presentationministries.com or see our website for more information.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 24, 2018
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