Enlighten me, guide me, strengthen me, console me.
Tell me what I should do ...give me Your orders.
I promise to submit myself to all that You desire of me
and to accept all that You permit to happen to me.
Let me only know Your will.
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Sunday, August 9, 2009, 19th Sunday Ordinary Time
1 Kings 19:4-8, Ephesians 4:30—5:2, Psalm 34:2-9, John 6:41-51
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/080909.shtml
TONGUE LASHING
"Do nothing to sadden the Holy Spirit." —Ephesians 4:30
We either sadden or gladden the Spirit by the use of our tongue. Our
tongues control not only our bodies but even the movement of the Spirit
(Jas 3:2). Therefore "never let evil talk pass your lips; say only the
good things men need to hear, things that will really help them" (Eph
4:29). "Get rid of all bitterness, all passion and anger, harsh words,
slander, and malice of every kind" (Eph 4:31).
Also, we must control our tongues so that "seldom is heard a discouraging
word." For example, the great Elijah began to speak death, negativity, and
defeat. Shortly he changed from a one-man army into a victim of
depression. Elijah "prayed for death: 'This is enough, O Lord! Take my
life, for I am no better than my fathers' " (1 Kgs 19:4). God's word is
"spirit and life," not depression and death (Jn 6:63).
Furthermore, we should guard against murmuring and complaining (Jn 6:41).
This misuse and abuse of the tongue deprived the Israelites of entering
the promised land (see Nm 14:1-24). It also prevented the Jews from
receiving Jesus' great revelation of Himself as "the Bread of Life" (Jn
6:48).
The tongue is like a valve that can either open up or shut off our hearts.
If the Lord controls our tongues, He controls our whole bodies (Jas 3:2).
Prayer: Lord, may I continually offer You "a sacrifice of praise, that is,
the fruit of lips which acknowledge" Your name (Heb 13:15).
Promise: "If anyone eats this bread he shall live forever; the bread I
will give is My flesh, for the life of the world." —Jn 6:51
Praise: Praise Jesus, Whose lips were filled with love and mercy!
(For a related teaching, order our tape "Don't Stifle The Spirit" on audio
AV 56-3 or video V-56.)
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Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant my
permission to publish "One Bread, One Body" covering the period from
August 1, 2009 through September 30, 2009
†Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of
Cincinnati, February 11, 2009
The rescript is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be
free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have
granted ecclesial permission agree with the contents, opinions, or
statements expressed.
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