Wednesday, September 23, 2009

sermon for the eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

This sermon was requested some time ago and finally did conclude it. thank you
Sermon for the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
Today’s Gospel remarks the deaf and dumb man, after being healed by a miracle he spoke right, that this might also be said of each one of us. That we also might speak right, in such a manner as redounds to the honor of God and to our own and our neighbor’s good. But who can recount all the sins that are committed by the tongue. How great will be the number of people lost by the sins of the tongue.
There is a book dated from 1617 the volume entitled “The Horseman’s book: The Art of Riding. This is about treating the use of bridles, whips, guides, and so on. Such a title is of a nature to give rise to sad thoughts. We have learned how to make bits, bridles, halters and pincers, and how to adapt them to a horse’s head or mouth; we have learned the art of directing these animals at will by means of a small bit. But we possess a tongue so ill-tempered that no bridle can curb it: this raging beast resists bits, halters and pincers alike, knocking down every obstacle in its path. It wants to be as free as a horse in the wild. Let us see what Saint James has to say on the subject: “we put bits into horse’s mouths that they may obey us, and we control their whole body also. But no man can tame the tongue. St. John Chrysostom says : “There is no member of the body by which the devil can deceive us so frequently and so easily by an unbridled tongue and an unguarded mouth”. Ecclss.28, 22: “Many have fallen away by the edge of the sword; but no so many have perished by their own tongue”.
We have all like the deaf and the dumb man strive to speak right. Saint Basil wanders why do we have only one tongue? Thereby God teaches us how sparingly we should use the tongue. We must speak no more than what is necessary for by seeing, hearing, and touching, one cannot sin so easily as by speaking something scandalous and indecent”.
As St. James points out: “indeed a little member, and boasted great things. The tongue is placed among our members, which defiles the whole body.
“By your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned”. Saint James says: “If any man offends not in word, the same is a perfect man”. How much careful we should be regarding the use of the tongue!!
There are many species of this kind of sin that is to say, many types of ways in which we can commit this sin.
-Vain words.
-Uncharitable words.
- Immodest words.
Vain words useless words: as we read in St. Matthew 12, 36: “every idle word that men shall speak they shall render an account for it on the day of judgment.”
We sin on this topic when we are destitute of a good intention we have pleasure in hearing ourselves talk. We should think about spending more time praying or occupying ourselves in something better rather than uttering vain words, idle talking. There are those who experience pleasure in hearing themselves talk the vice called loquaciousness.
Another one is boasting whereby a man enjoys talking about his personal affairs, own cleverness and knowledge, money, possessions, projects etc… As the book of proverbs points out: “let another praise you and not your own mouth”.
Spirit of mockery: it causes laughter at the expense of our neighbor, not laughing with him but laughing at him. Does not have respect for the person, as Christians to have the seriousness of a man and not to be a child. Oftentimes young people commit this sin.
Probably the one fault that causes to be the most grievous and malicious is that against our neighbor that sins against charity. Calumny is a sin against charity-justice and truth-since it ruins the good name and the reputation of another what is said or imputed is not true.
Whispering and tale bearing-cause another to fight, plant a seed of discord, telling a person what evil things someone else has done.
Insults: taunting others which are to their shame. Thus it is an insult to cast up to another his low extraction, illegitimate birth, bodily defects or deformities, corporal or spiritual defects, insulting people usually end up in quarrels. Giving nicknames can also be offensive or pejorative also pocking on others people’s defects as well.
The tongue being below the eyes is a lesson to all of us. 1-not to speak about anything that we have not seen ourselves, not to believe every rumor you hear but suspend your judgment until you have found out the truth. Speak of the fault of others only when you can prevent evil or do some good.
Must love God above all things this is the greatest commandment. Talk to people with a supernatural intention do we talk about God? There are some good tools to prevent us from falling into this vices the first one is that we speak about something when is truth, good and necessary. Let us keep in mind what Saint Frances of Sales used to say: “I wish I could have two buttons on both lips, which I should be obliged to unfasten when I had an occasion to speak, for I should then gain more time to reflect, and to consider my speech”. Consider Saint James chapter 3: “the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. Does not a single word cause oftentimes bitter feelings, Does not a single word rob a man of his honor and good name? Let us have the love of God in our words: “The Savior in the way to Emmaus inflamed the hearts of the disciples by his discourses. “were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke in the way, and opened to us the scriptures? From our hearts to our words we should show the love of God and our neighbor. Let us be swift to hear but slow to speak and ask Our Lord that our discourses should be warmed by the love of God and our neighbor.

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