This subject matter is not new but there is a great need of it to be highlighted as this is occurring more belligerently than ever. We are exposed to these sins everywhere we go, as people are growing immoral in their lives, there is an abundance of evidence that we live in a society that is slowly seeing the collapse of the family structure. It is becoming increasing clear that our religious way of life which is based on truth and love is being betrayed by the immoral worldliness which has contributed to the unbridled tongue. I am saddened that many of my fellow Catholic friends are guilty of these sins. Neither am I innocent of it as I had to some degree in the past, and have yet to completely rid of it. It is not easy to rid of this without a conscientious effort to do it, but many do not realize the gravity of the sins of the tongue that they overlook to confess it in confession. My dear friends, please be very weary of these sins as these will be the damnation of your souls. Keeping in mind always, the love of God and the commandment to love our neighbors, we will have greater strength to avoid totally the sins of the tongue. St. Bonaventure asserts that we should open our mouths on three occasions: to praise God, to accuse ourselves, and finally, to edify others. Hopefully, this will be our criteria for speaking! The primary purpose of this gift of speech that God has given to the human person is to communicate the truth with love. Saint James warns us that we should be slow to speak and quick to listen. Jesus warns us that every word that comes forth from our mouth we will be judged; and Jesus says: “From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Any person, especially a Catholic, knowing his faith, cannot continue to be uncharitable in his actions and especially in his speech, as backbiting and calumny are mortal sins, if one does not realize it yet. “The Tongue is a Powerful Force! The tongue is a doorway of life for our body, soul, and spirit. Not only is it designed to feed our bodies, but it also has the power to nourish our soul and spirit. ... Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit - we choose.” Proverbs 18:21 confirms this by saying, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits." ... Proverbs 13:3; “Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin." Be meek and gentle of heart as Our Lord has thought us through His Most Sacred Heart and we stand a better chance to rid ourselves of the sins of our tongue. Below are the ten fatal flaws that result from improper speech, and our goal here is to find the preventive medicine rather than curative. Lying Lies should be avoided at all costs. A lie perverts the proper end and purpose of human speech, by falsifying the truth that ought to be spoken. Jesus said that the devil is the father of lies. Therefore, in a very real sense liars are sons and daughter of the devil! A strong statement, but true. Telling White Lies Many will justify the lie by saying that it is only a white lie, an inoffensive lie, that nobody will be hurt, or even that the white lie was said to avoid doing harm to the other person. Jesus reminds us that those who are faithful in the small will be faithful in the large. Shouting and Yelling Frustrated people who have little self-control often have recourse to yelling or shouting, with the hope of moving the listeners to action; this might also be the case of parents with their children. Rather than losing control of our emotions, it is far better to give fraternal correction but with calmness and peace. In this way you show love, even while giving parental or fraternal correction, while also maintaining control over your tongue. Slander or Calumny At all costs, we should strive to maintain and defend not only our own good reputation but also the reputation of others. Therefore, calumny or slander can be defined as “character assassination”—that is to say, killing the good name of another. Actually, in this light, slander not only violates The Eight Commandment--”Thou shall not bear false witness against his neighbor”—but it can also be seen as a violation of The Fifth Commandment: “Thou shalt not kill.” The Book of Proverbs, tells us the harm that is done by slander or calumny: “A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.” Speaking Gossip Gossipers cause damage in many ways:
Sarcasm in Speech Sarcasm is using irony and mockery to show contempt. Utilizing sarcasm wounds charity; it is like adding salt to the opened wound. It hurts, burns and smarts! Before giving in to sarcasm, apply the Golden Rule. How would you like it if you were to be the butt of a sarcastic joke? Do to others what you want them to do to you. So speak to other and about them as you would like to spoken to and about. Breaking Confidence If what you have heard is meant to be kept in confidence, not revealed, or to be kept secret, then it’s best to keep your mouth shut and sealed. The common proverb, silence is golden, is indeed is very true. Therefore, in taming the tongue to prevent this fatal flaw, we sometimes we are obliged to simply remain silent. In this, we have a very eloquent silence indeed! Blasphemy “BLASPHEMY: Speaking against God in a contemptuous, scornful, or abusive manner. Included under blasphemy are offenses committed by thought, word or action, serious contemptuous ridicule of the saints, sacred objects, or of persons consecrated to God is also blasphemous because God is indirectly attacked. Blasphemy is a grave violation of charity against God. Its gravity may be judged by capital punishment in the Old Testament, severe penalties in the Church, and in many cases also of the State.” Abusive and Vulgar Language While not as serious as blasphemy, a great abuse of the tongue is the all-too prevalent proliferation of vulgar language. We should never forget that we are temples of the Holy Spirit. As Catholics, our tongues partake of the Body and Blood of Jesus whenever we receive Holy Communion. As part of our preparation for Holy Communion we should tame the tongue to be ready to receive such a great gift. We should act according to the dignity of who we are—Temples of the Living God. We ought to also act according to our dignity as future citizens of Heaven, our eternal home with God! Bragging and Boasting It is when we are praising and placing ourselves above all, lauding and adulating our own supposed greatness. In this we attribute all of our successes, merits, and rewards to our own greatness. This is very displeasing to God because it is the epitome of pride! God lifts up the lowly, but despises the proud of heart. Our Lady in her Magnificat expresses this truth: “For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness… He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly.” Our attitude of heart should be that of the Psalmist: Not to us, LORD, not to us but to your name give glory. During our night prayers, it is important that we make our examinations of our conscience well, as in this way, we know the faults or sins we have committed for the day, discovering if any sin of the tongue were committed and then pray for the determination not to repeat them ever. Prayer for the Control of the Tongue. (St.Elizabeth Ann Seton.) Dear Holy Spirit, My God. Teach me to speak wisely. Let me avoid useless thoughts and useless conversations. Help me to speak often for You. Grant that my words may never hurt people of goodwill. May My words always bring consolation to those in sorrow and guidance to those in need. Take my lips and make them Yours. Take possession of my mind and make it an instrument of Your goodness and a channel of truth. I hope to become a person of silence, who prefers to talk to God then to others. In my human conversation, may I always bring them closer to You and You closer to them. I ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen Our Father . . . Hail Mary . . . Glory Be.... PRAYER TO SAINT ANTHONY FOR CONTROL OF THE TONGUE Dear Saint Anthony, once again I greet you and thank you for your readiness to come to my aid in my necessity. Slowly, but surely, my disposition improves. You have helped me to understand that my real fault lay in pride, preoccupation with myself, and lack of real concern for others. Now that I see this more clearly, thanks be to God, I am not as bad as I was nor do I feel so hopeless. You used your tongue to give praise to God, to preach His message of salvation, and to call down the blessings of heaven on others. Please continue to help me so that I may use my tongue rightly, be kind and charitable in speaking to others, and cheer them rather than wound them. Because of your powerful intercession with God, I am confident that you will continue to assist me in my daily life. In the name of our Lord, Jesus, I ask your aid. Amen. V. Pray for us, Saint Anthony, R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. |
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AuthorAn artist, entrepreneur, a loving family man, 30 years a Catholic traditionalist upholding traditions for the love of God. Shop for Catholic giftsArchives
January 2024
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