Tongue is a weapon that can build up as well as destroy. Do any of you think you are religious? If you do not control your tongue, your religion is worthless and you deceive (betray) yourself – James 1:26.

Our tongue: small as it is, it can boast about great things. Just think how a large forest, can be set on fire by a tiny flame! The tongue is like this fire. It is a world of wrong, occupying its place in our bodies and spreading evil through our whole being. It sets on fire the entire course of our existence with the fire that comes to it from hell itself. We humans are able to tame and have tamed all other creatures, wild animals and birds, reptiles and fish. But no one has ever been able to tame the tongue. It is evil and uncontrollable, full of deadly poison.

We use it, to give thanks to our Lord and Father and also to curse other people, who are created just like us in the likeness of God.

In the Letter of James, we are asked to show our faith in the little acts of daily living. Words of thanksgiving and cursing pour out from the same mouth; this should not happen! For no spring of water pours out sweet water and bitter water from the same opening. A fig tree, my friends, cannot bear olives; a grapevine cannot bear figs, nor can a salty spring produce sweet water. What about others who hurt us by their words? Shouldn’t that be considered? You may ask.

No, and I’ll tell you why. You have to set an example first, by putting into action our Lord’s teachings. Scripture is clear on this: ‘Rid yourselves, then, of all evil; no more lying or hypocrisy [insincerity] or jealousy or insulting language. Jesus Christ himself suffered for you and left you an example, so that you would follow in his steps. He committed no sin, and no one ever heard a lie come from his lips. When he was insulted, he did not answer back with an insult; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but placed his hopes in God, the righteous Judge. Christ himself carried our sins in his body to the cross, so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness. It is by his wounds that you have been healed’ (1 Peter:2)

So then cry out to the Lord with your mouth and have high praise on your tongue. Use your tongue to Praise the Lord, Praise His holy name. In I Thessalonians 5:16-17 we read, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”When a soul praises the Lord Jesus Christ, Satan trembles and flees to the very bottom of hell. Praise makes room in our hearts for God’s will to be done. Let the Spirit of the LORD speak; let his word remain on your tongue (2 Samuel 23:2).

In Proverbs 18:21 we read – Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. If then words can hurt or heal; let me ask you what did yours do Today? We love all words that devour [demolish], that are deceitful [lying] (Psalm 52:4). Our tongue, plots destruction, like a sharp razor, & acts as the workers of deceit [cheat] Furthermore we are all swollen with pride know nothing. We have an unhealthy desire to argue and quarrel about words, and this brings on jealousy, disputes, insults, evil suspicions. (1 Timothy 6:4)

Remember, a gentle tongue is a tree of life. – Proverbs 15:4. The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice – Psalm 37:30. Truthful lips endure [last] forever, but a lying tongue is just for a moment – Proverbs 12:19. Note the difference – Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble – Proverbs 21:23; but a man of crooked heart does not discover good, and one with a dishonest tongue falls into calamity [tragedy].

Whenever you find yourself stuck, in a particular situation where shouting or insults, harsh words or threats are at the tip of your tongue. Ask the Lord’s help, recite several times, ‘Jesus, Master help me’ and trust me, God will make a way. For the scripture says – ‘Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.’(Psalm139:4)

May we open our mouth with wisdom and the teaching of kindness be on our tongue. For everyone deceive [betray] his neighbor, and no one speaks the truth; they have taught their tongue to speak lies; they weary [exhaust] themselves committing iniquity [injustice] – Jeremiah 9:5. Scripture is clear on this – “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit [dishonesty] – 1Peter3:10.

A person’s relationship with God is crucial here. So you decide, Do you care what God thinks about your behavior? Are your words, actions & deeds accountable to God? Then let not your throat be an open grave. This is where I ask you to consider, check & examine your words, actions & deeds and repent before you get caught or judged. Get rid of all bitterness, anger, passion and hateful feelings. No more shouting or insults, no more obscene talk must ever come from your lips. Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you. (Ephesians 4:29)

In the Second Letter of Paul to Timothy 2:16-17 reminds us – To keep away from profane and foolish discussions, which only drive people farther away from God. Such teaching is like an open sore that eats away the flesh keep away from foolish and ignorant arguments; you know that they end up in quarrels.

As the Lord’s servant, you must not quarrel. You must be kind toward all, a good and patient teacher, who is gentle as you correct your opponents, for it may be that God will give them the opportunity to repent and come to know the truth. And then they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the Devil, who had caught them and made them obey his will.

You must all have the same attitude and the same feelings; love one another, and be kind and humble with one another. Do not pay back evil with evil or cursing with cursing; instead, pay back with a blessing, because a blessing is what God promised to give you when he called you. As the scripture says, ‘If you want to enjoy life and wish to see good times, you must keep from speaking evil and stop telling lies. You must turn away from evil and do good; you must strive for peace with all your heart. For the Lord watches over the righteous and listens to their prayers; but he opposes those who do evil’ (1Peter3).

Also read: Set a guard over your mouth

Let us ask the Lord to take over this area of our life and pray like the Psalmist did, Set me free, O LORD, from lying lips & dishonest tongue (Psalm120:2) I will guard my ways that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle [silence], so long as the wicked are in my presence (Psalm 39:1).

- – - written by Sharon Joseph

The weight of the Cross will increase as love decreases in our life.

Once while talking to youth, I asked them a question, if somebody gives you 1000 Dollar or 1000 Euros and ask you to follow them by leaving Catholic faith, will you go? Few replied that they would consider. What about good position in the society? And a few would go because they are poor.

If a young man, handsome, powerful, wealthy or a young woman, beautiful, job holder proposes you with only one condition to leave your catholic faith, will you? Few will go, because they do think good family is made in the unity of heart, and to live with a partner as one wish and loves gives meaning to life than at times after waiting for long within the religious tradition, marrying a person who is a drunkard, not faithful, useless, etc…

Yes, Jesus is asking the question to each of his follower very personally, “Do you love Jesus more than these?” “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” (Jn. 21: 15).

Jesus asks this question to Peter three times. He confirms Peter’s love for Him, only then Peter is entrusted with the particular mission. Following Jesus demands love. The greatest act is love which the world ever has seen, and that was on the cross.The followers of Jesus are too demanded of love, even though it is painful. The disciple has to imitate the master, and that is possible by becoming one with Him.

Only the one who follows Jesus closely will be able to love. For that one has to know the heart of the master; in fact Jesus’ heart is full of love. Peter was following Jesus closely and often he was the spokesperson for the group, he declared Jesus identity loudly, and the Church was entrusted to him. The depth of Peter’s love is tested by the Master. He wants to know whether Peter loves him more than others.

Only the mother will be able to tell how much love she shows towards her child, and she expresses it. If the mother really loves the child, she will give completely herself to her child, forgetting herself fully. She takes care of the child and at times she is even ready to die for the child.

The followers of Jesus too should have that same love. They have to forget about themselves completely for of love for their master Jesus, and be concerned only about following him. Everyday they have to think only one thing as disciples; how can they follow their Master closer than others? And this demands greater love for Jesus than others.

Jesus is asking Peter to “follow” Him (Jn.21:19). Although Jesus was asking the same question to Peter three times, the intensity in which the question was asked was deep. And Peter’s answer reflects that it comes from the heart level than from lips alone. The real love comes from the heart, and it goes beyond borders. It has nothing to do with the world or its desires. The husband who takes care of his paralyzed wife affectionately is the example of real love of the husband. He understands the bond of love, which he pledged to keep up till the last breath, during holy matrimony. It demands great love.

There are wives who are being beaten up by their own husbands who are addicted to alcoholic. Still they love their husbands, with whole heart. True love can be painful but graceful. Even though there are times the crosses appears to be heavy in family lives, once carried it faithfully, they could see crucified Jesus on them. Love demands sacrifice in daily lives.

One would be allowed to carry physical, mental, social, spiritual crosses, but the depth of love towards those crosses gives new dimensions in one’s life struggle. In family lives, the husband and wife share the true love each other more than any thing in this world. And the husband can declare to his partner, who might be bed-ridden for years, that he loves her than anybody. The wife too, whose husband has become an alcoholic addict, still loves him with faithfulness.

Christ’s followers are given crosses as a sign of love for the glorification.When one turns towards Jesus, He will ask them by calling out their names, ‘do you love me more than others this moment?’ And only the faithful disciple completely surrendering themselves could answer, ‘Yes Lord, I am’.

Listen to the song: More Than Anything

Greater love towards the master makes the cross lighter. Or when the weight increases the love can decrease and decrease. Today, many wish to call themselves Christians provided their crosses are made of gold, silver etc. Sometimes, even so-called ‘chosen ones’ prefer not to see crosses and thus they try to be blind when those situations come and go behind positions, or golden crosses, or worldly way in a cunning manner. Embracing cross as a sign of real love, and loving cross and the crucified Christ is the way one has chosen as his vocation is often being forgotten by many. Seldom people like to take the heavy wooden crosses, on account of love.

Jesus is crucified on this wooden cross, which was not so polished but rough, and heavy. There are times, the life situations become crosses in the life, and only the disciple of Christ will be able to discover Christ in those situations and lovingly embrace those moments, and others will curse them and look for small, fashioned, beautiful golden or silver crosses to hang as a decoration to the flesh. The disciple of Christ has to confirm his or her love towards the master in daily life; only then one can follow Him as a faithful disciple, with the given responsibility.

After confirming the faith, Jesus is giving the mission to peter. “Feed my sheep”. Peter is entrusted with the care of the Church. Like Peter, every disciple who are confirmed in their love towards the Master, is given responsibility. This demands great sacrifice. Jesus says to Peter, “Amen, Amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go” (Jn.21:18).

- – - written by Fr. Biju Maramkuzhackal SVD

We cannot listen to God since our minds are too noisy.

This verse in the Bible baffles our minds and arrests the attention of our hearts. Why did the Hebrews in Egypt not listen to Moses their leader? What had prevented them to do so? What would be its significance for us today? Can our sufferings, sicknesses and pains prevent us from paying due attention to the Word of God. It is possible that a life of misery can switch off one’s ears to the inner voice of God?

Bible unfolds to us a two-fold factor for the inability of the Israelites to pay attention to the words of Moses. One factor seems to be spiritual (internal) and the other, physical (external) one.

“They did not listen to Moses because of their broken spirit and their cruel bondage” (Ex 6:9). It is quite obvious that a soul cannot listen to the word of God due to its “broken spirit” and “cruel bondage.” In other words, a “broken spirit” and “cruel bondage” incapacitate a man/woman to heed to God’s word.

Broken Spirit

How does a man/woman’s spirit become broken? Who crushes/breaks one’s spirit? And how can we mend a broken spirit? It happens to the inner being of a person and so it is invisible. But we can observe the signs and symptoms of a “drooping spirit” in the way he/she performs his/her daily duties in life.

Once Jesus had met a group of people who were “crushed in their spirit,” “distressed” (ripto), broken hearted and “wearied” (Mt 9:36), and “he began to teach them at length” (Mk 6:34). Lengthy teaching might perhaps heal many of the broken spirited people of our time. It is the Lord alone “who heals the broken hearted and he binds up their wounds” (Ps 147:3). To do this, Jesus is empowered through the mighty anointing from above. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…he has sent me to bind up the broken hearted” (Is 61:1; Lk 4:18). Elsewhere, Dr. Luke mentions that, “the power of the Lord was with him to heal” (Lk 5:17). And he lifts up those who are bowed down” (Ps 146:8).

“A dejected mind, a gloomy face and a wounded heart” would be the true manifestation of a “broken spirit” (Sir 25:23). It is quite natural for a soul to wander about in the world, once its goal in life is lost. And so, he/she desires to end up his/her life “in death” (Ps 109:16). It was the longing of Job (17:1), to choose death rather than life. “A man’s spirit will endure sickness, but a broken spirit who can bear” (Pro 18:14). “A downcast spirit dries up the bones” (Pro 17:22).

Cruel bondage

We know from our experiences, that by the “sorrow of heart” or “a cruel bondage,” a human “spirit is broken” easily and quickly (Pro 15:13) and is unable to heed to the voice of the Lord. Even now, some sections of our human society, due to their abject poverty and age-old oppression, cannot rise above their bondages in order to plan for an egalitarian society. Even the every suggestion of it sounds to them like an utopian idea or a wishful dream for the far future.

Do you remember how the Lord had liberated a daughter of Abraham from the cruel bondage of Satan for eighteen long, years? “Ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?” (Lk 13:16). In fact, He came to “liberate” people from their bondages (Lk 4:18; Jn 8:32).

Before preaching the Good News, should we not liberate our people from various types of bondages? Or should we not liberate them in and through the Gospel message that we preach? This spiritual activity can only be performed by the Spirit of the Lord (Lk 4:18). Let us pray that God will make us humble instruments in His hands for liberating many souls from the bondages of sin and Satan.

- – - written by Fr. J. Eapan SDB