Daily Thought For September 17, 2014

Using Our Speech For The Good Of Others

Speech is one of the most precious talents ever bestowed on men by God, a most beautiful gift for the expression of deep thoughts of love and friendship towards the Lord and his creatures. We should not use this gift in an inconsiderate or frivolous way. We should always keep in mind the warning of St James that the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity. The damage it does can come from useless arguments, sarcasm, calumnies, etc. How many friendships have been ruined by tongues out of control! 

Jesus took care in what he said to other people. I tell you, on the day of judgment men will render account for every careless word they utter. Idle words spring from an impoverished spirit. An unwillingness to control one's speech is a clear symptom of spiritual lukewarmness. The good man out of his good treasure brings forth good; and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.

Our Lord will judge us on how we have used his gifts. 

After seeing how many people waste their lives (without a break: gab, gab, gab - and with all the consequences!), I can better appreciate how necessary and lovable silence is. And I can well understand, Lord, why you will make us account for every idle word. The road from sarcasm to calumny is all too short. It is difficult to control one's tongue if one is not trying to live in the presence of God. The Christian ought never to be found saying anything bad about anybody. On the contrary, the Christian should act like Christ, who went about doing good. Part of this doing good is speaking well of others. This behavior should reach into the simplest details such as our manner of greeting others. Our attitude should be: What a joy it is to have met you on my way! 

Daily Meditation from In Conversation with God by Francis Fernandez Volume 5 pp. 32-33