by Fr. Tommy Lane
In a number of different ways, our first reading tells us that our speech reflects what is within us (Sirach/Ecclesiasticus 27:4-7). The end of our Gospel passage today makes the same point, that our words flow out of our heart (Luke 6:45). We can use this as an opportunity to reflect on our words and what we say.
The response to our Psalm, “Lord, it is good to give thanks to you” reminds us of one purpose of our words, to give thanks to the Lord. Do we give thanks to the Lord for all his blessings and gifts to us? Remember the ten lepers cured by Jesus (Luke 17:11-18). Only one of them came back to thank Jesus. Instead of thanking God, do we grumble and complain? Do our words contribute to an atmosphere of negativity? Instead, the first verse of today’s Psalm tells us to use our words to praise God,
It is good to give
thanks to the Lord,
to sing praise to your name, Most High,
To
proclaim your kindness at dawn
and your faithfulness throughout
the night. (Ps 92:2-3)
Our Lady’s prayer when she visited Elizabeth, which we call the Magnificat, begins, “My soul glorifies the Lord. My spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” (Luke 1:46-47) So instead of always grumbling or complaining, we could try to make Our Lady’s prayer our own, “My soul glorifies the Lord. My spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”
There are different types of prayer. We can pray with words such as when we pray the Rosary. There are other types of prayer, such as when we pray silently. Prayer for peace is very much needed as this time. I saw a photograph of people on their knees on a street in Kyiv yesterday praying for peace. This is countering evil with good words. If we had enough prayer, the current conflict would be resolved peacefully. We know the Rosary is a powerful prayer against evil. In it, we are asking Our Lady over and over again to pray for us now and at the hour of our death. Our Lady needs our prayer for the betterment of this world. With your prayer you can help solve the world’s problems. We can give the prayers of our Rosaries to Our Lady so that she can use them for what she knows best at this time. Just as our Rosaries can help the world, in the same way, every Mass, although offered for a specific intention, also benefits the entire world. In the words of the Eucharistic Prayer after the consecration, we hear all those for whom we pray including ourselves.
Another way in which we might examine ourselves is if we allow foul words to pepper our conversation. For some, unfortunately it seems to have become a habit or even worse, an addiction. It is possible to break the habit and be a much better person for doing so. Just like breaking any bad habit, it may mean starting with small goals that can be achieved, for example, “I will not use foul language for the remainder of today.” Gradually lengthening the goals, to a week, and a month will help break the habit entirely. Anyone who would break that habit would be a much better person afterwards. Ideally family and friends would support this.
Words can also be used to manipulate the truth. Unfortunately, we hear this all the time on TV channels or in social media. Words can be used to damage a person’s character. In the letter of James, in a passage we do not hear on Sundays, we read,
If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we also guide their whole bodies. It is the same with ships: even though they are so large and driven by fierce winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot’s inclination wishes. In the same way the tongue is a small member and yet has great pretensions. Consider how small a fire can set a huge forest ablaze. The tongue is also a fire….With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. This need not be so, my brothers. (James 3:3-10)
As we reflect on our words, it is good once again to recall that one purpose of our words is to praise God. As the first verse of our Psalm said,
It is good to give
thanks to the Lord,
to sing praise to your name, Most High,
To
proclaim your kindness at dawn
and your faithfulness throughout
the night. (Ps 92:2-3)
It would be good to make Our Lady’s prayer when she visited Elizabeth our own, “My soul glorifies the Lord. My spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” At this time, we can use our words to pray for peace.
© Fr. Tommy Lane 2022
This homily was delivered in a parish in Ireland.