"But I tell you, on the day of judgment people will render account for every careless word they speak. By your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." (Matthew 12:36) Careless: "not giving sufficient attention or thought to avoiding harm or errors." It's not a comfortable thing for a … Continue reading Why We’re Accountable for Every Careless Word
Overcoming our negative speech habits is so challenging that it's tempting to stop working on it. We fail, and that's discouraging. We're only human, after all. Why keep trying? When our good intentions evaporate and the truth conveyed by saints and scripture no longer inspires, we can always check out what researchers say about speech. … Continue reading Need Evidence? Three Reasons to Increase Your Positive Speech
"Speak boastfully no longer, do not let arrogance issue from your mouths." This verse is from Hannah's song of praise after learning that her prayer for a child had been answered. Her canticle (1 Samuel 2:1-10) is rich with thoughts we find in Mary's Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55). Both women display a humble soul, for … Continue reading Do Not Heap Boasting Upon Boasting
Boast: to speak with exaggeration and excessive pride. In our all-about-me culture, it's becoming increasingly prevalent (and seemingly acceptable) to interrupt and one-up conversations with stories about ourselves. Kirstin Wiigs' SNL character "Penelope" helps me see this side of myself. I don't like it, but I'm grateful for the humorous take. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGQBFMdJZow … Continue reading Penelope Unmasks Our All-About-Me Monologs
In the gospel of Matthew (15:18-19) Christ tells us exactly where all our tongue-trouble is rooted: "But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile. For from the heart come: evil thoughts murder adultery unchastity theft false witness blasphemy These are what defile a person..." Our trouble with … Continue reading Trouble with Words is Heart Trouble
Even worse than humanity's general tendency to use our tongues as swords is the fact that so many Christians do it to each other. It has always been so, because we are being perfected but few if any among us are perfected yet. But we must not accept this state of affairs. St. Paul, writing … Continue reading Christian vs. Christian: Stop Tearing Each Other Apart
The biblical phrase, "beat your swords into plowshares and your spears into pruning hooks" comes from the Old Testament prophets Isaiah and Micah. It refers to a time when God's justice will reign, when his rule of love is willingly accepted and all is blessed in the acceptance of his truth and grace. When we're … Continue reading Turning our Sword-Tongues into Pruning Hooks
A soft answer turns back wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1 The anger of man does not work the righteousness of God. --James 1:20 How often we excuse our angry words, blaming others for our own actions. How often we confuse anger with strength and gentleness with weakness! There is a … Continue reading When Tempted to Fire Back, Remember This
Set a guard before my mouth, Lord. Keep watch over the door of my lips. Psalm 141:3 This post is part of a series (see A Lenten Invitation from a Babbling Brook: Focus on Speech and Silence). To receive new installments, you’re invited to Follow Sparrowfare by placing your email address in the box in … Continue reading A Prayer for a Guarded Tongue
"Mary's silence is admirable," notes the Navarre Bible's commentary on Matthew 1:19, in which Joseph, distressed and perplexed at the pregnancy of his betrothed, is told in a dream not to be afraid to marry her, "for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit." Apparently Mary's trust that God would take … Continue reading Pondering Silence and Exuberant Praise: The Example of Mary, Mother of God
