11th Sunday after Pentecost 9 Aug 2015 Sermon

11th Sunday after Pentecost 9.8.15 The gift of speech

He has made the deaf hear and the dumb speak (Mk 7,37). Our Lord, in working miracles, also had a deeper message. In this case the miracle symbolises His desire to open the ears of everyone to hear the word of God; and loosen the tongues of everyone to speak that word.

The greatest privilege of speech is not that we can talk to each other but that we can talk to God, and hear His word to us.

He has made us to be able to do this; we must not misdirect the power.

The misuse of the tongue must be in the top ten sins. Speaking evil to, or about, others - lying, blasphemy, gossip, insults, angry disputes, yelling - how much that is false, unkind, or destructive is spoken by the tongue.

The power of speech is explosive; it needs a lot of harnessing, as explained in the epistle of St James. The tongue is a small thing but it can do a great deal of harm. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind but no man can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brethren, this ought not to be so. (Jm 3,7-10)

To be able to speak is a privilege, and a sign of the higher status that God has invested in the human race. It is up to us to use the gift wisely according to God’s intent. It will help if, before we speak, we first listen: Speak, Lord, Your servant is listening (1 Kings 3,10).

He intends that every word we speak should be edifying and constructive. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen….Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. (Eph 4,29-31)

We thank God for this gift and with His help we seek to eliminate the misuse.

In one way we have to tighten the use of the tongue – eliminating gossip etc. In another way we need to be loosened – in proclaiming the Gospel, encouraging, instructing, charitable correction.

We can be afraid of what others will think. So when we need to speak we may not, eg to correct an injustice.

St John the Baptist leads the way in a long history of courageous prophets who, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, found the right words.

Our Lord promised us that the Holy Spirit would give us the words to speak when taken before kings and governors (cf Mt 10,19)

If we are to speak good things there has to be goodness in the heart first. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries (Mk 7,21)

The Lord heals the whole person, not just one part of the body.

If we are healed within we will not make so many uncharitable or bad-tempered remarks, and the like.

Nor will we say too much. We will be like the wise man who keeps his counsel (cf Prov 29,11).

We will say the right thing, in the right amount, and in the best possible way.

Only the Holy Spirit can help us to do all this.

In a world which is noisier than ever before, where we are immersed in technology that enables more, but not necessarily wiser communication – we must maintain an interior silence.

From that silence, where we let God’s word act upon us, we are then qualified to speak.

May His word be heard and proclaimed among all His people!