The following reflection is courtesy of Don Schwager (c) 2014, whose website is located at dailyscripture.net Meditation: How forceful are honest words! (Job 6:25) Jesus addressed the issue of honesty and truthfulness in ones conduct and speech. What does it mean to be true to ones word? To be true to oneself and to others requires character. Unfortunately many people today miserably fail here. No wonder we dont trust many in positions of leadership and influence. God is the source of all truth and there is nothing false or deceitful in him. His word is truth and his law is truth. His truth liberates us from illusion, deceit, and hypocrisy. Jesus told his disciples that the truth will make you free (John 8:32). Why is it so hard to be true and to speak the truth? Truth demands commitment - that we live our lives according to it and be faithful witnesses of the truth. Jesus teaches his disciples the unconditional love of truth. He speaks against bearing false witness and all forms of untruthfulness and swearing unnecessary oaths to God. A disciples word should be capable of being trusted without verbal rituals to give it validity. Christs disciple must speak truthfully without stretching the truth by adding to it or by compromising the truth by speaking untruth or by leaving out what is necessary to convey what is truthful. Thomas Aquinas said: People could not live with one another if there were not mutual confidence that they were being truthful to one another... (In justice) as a matter of honor, one person owes it to another to manifest the truth. Are you true to God, to yourself, and to others? And do you allow Gods word of truth to penetrate your mind and heart and to form your conscience? Set a watch, Lord, upon my tongue, that I may never speak the cruel word which is not true; or being true, is not the whole truth; or being wholly true, is merciless; for the love of Jesus Christ our Lord. The following reflection is courtesy of Presentation Ministries (c) 2014. Their website is located at presentationministries MOUTH GUARD Say, Yes when you mean Yes and No when you mean No. Anything beyond that is from the evil one. Matthew 5:37 I work in a large office and cant help but overhear many conversations daily. I must hear the following phrases at least ten times every business day: To be honest with you..., Honestly..., To be perfectly honest.... Each time I hear these phrases, I wonder if the speaker is implying that he or she is normally dishonest, but their current sentence is going to be an honest one. Jesus isnt kidding. Anything we say beyond our true and simple meaning is from the evil one (Mt 5:37). If anything beyond our basic meaning of Yes or No is from the devil, it follows that we should hardly talk at all! (see Eccl 5:1) We dont want to give Satan the opportunity of speaking through us. Look at St. Peter. He spoke without listening carefully to what Jesus was saying and the devil spoke through Him (Mt 16:23). If we really mean Yes, we must say Yes unambiguously, and likewise if we mean No. The author of James says if we speak in this way [we] will not incur condemnation (Jas 5:12). The implication is that if we dont really say what we mean, we might risk eternal condemnation. Jesus says: I assure you, on judgment day people will be held accountable for every unguarded word they speak. By your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned (Mt 12:36-37). Prayer: Lord, set a watch before my mouth, a guard at the door of my lips (Ps 141:3). Teach me what to say and how to speak (Jn 12:49). May I be quick to hear and slow to speak (Jas 1:19). Promise: I bless the Lord Who counsels me; even in the night my heart exhorts me. Ps 16:7 Praise: When George and Mary said Yes to God and each other they meant it, and were blessed with over fifty years of holy marriage. (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.) Rescript: In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant my permission to publish One Bread, One Body covering the period from June 1, 2014 through July 31, 2014. Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, January 2, 2014. 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
Posted on: Fri, 13 Jun 2014 21:35:21 +0000