8th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today, especially in our first reading, we are presented with a theme or topic that some or all us struggle with: speech/conversation.  Our conversation or speech either edify and inspire good or bad like gossip, slander, character assassination. Several factors shape the kind of conversation we engage in. In the words of the author of the book of Sirach:
“As the test of what a potter molds is in the furnace, so in his conversation is the test of a man. The fruit of a tree shows the care it has had: so too does a man’s speech disclose the bent of his mind. Praise no man before he speaks, for it is then that men are tested.”
From this text, it’s true to say that, the quality and character of a person is measured by his or her speech. That’s why we are advised not to praise anyone before he or she speaks. The fruit of a tree… This means that formation/training in good character is needed for good or edifying speech. Jesus speaks about training in the gospel, “No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher.”
How can I speak well? Fill your heart and mind with the Spirit; with love, kindness, mercy and compassion. Practice the virtue of self-control especially in the use of your tongue. St. James says:
“If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, his religion is vain.” I:26 The key word here is “Bridle” which could mean control/check/subdue. It’s important to know when to talk and when to keep quiet; what to say and what not to say. This is exactly the teaching of our LORD in the gospel: “Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven.” If we must stop judging and condemning, we must learn to control our tongue/mouth, mind and heart. Jesus went on to say, “A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of the store of evil produces evil; for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks.”
The focus here is the HEART. JESUS wants us to have a good, pure, clean and loving heart for our speech to be good and edifying. How can we achieve this? 1. Through constant prayer like the psalmist prayed: “Cleanse me with hyssop, that I may be PURE OF HEART: wash me and I will be whiter than snow.” Ps 51:9. “A pure and clean heart create for me GOD; renew within me a steadfast spirit.” Ps 51:12. Notice these words used in this Psalm: wash, cleanse, renew, create, pure. “Blessed are the clean and pure of heart for they will see GOD.” Matt 5:8. Imitate and desire that your heart be like that of Christ and Mary his mother. Sacred Heart of Jesus, Immaculate Heart of Mary! Keep evil, sin or hatred away from your heart. Engage in the spiritual battle of the HEART.
As St. Paul says in the second reading, “But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Victory over evil speech, slander or gossip is possible through self-control and discipline. Pray always for the interior purification and transformation of your heart to become like the Sacred Heart of our LORD JESUS CHRIST.