The Sunday Sermon Archive

Dear Friends in Christ,

In today's Gospel reading (Mark 7:31-37), Jesus heals a man in both his hearing and in his speech. Our considerations are turned to how little appreciation we have for the gifts that God has given us. It is only when we see others deprived of the gifts that we have that we even consider some of the good things that God has given us. What a blessing it is to be able to hear and to speak — to be able to communicate with one another.

When we truly appreciate these gifts from God, we are led to consider the use that we make of these gifts. How can we discern which words offend God rather than merely human sensibilities? We should ask ourselves whether our speech promotes love, truth, and respect for God's Name, or leads us away from our spiritual goals. We obviously should not listen to things that lead us away from God or distract us from our goal of pleasing God and obtaining eternal happiness. Likewise, we should avoid all speech that is offensive to God.

Sadly, we often consider whether our speech is offensive to our neighbors but give no thought to God. We are taught to seek "politically correct" speech and refrain from offending anyone. While on the surface this often seems good and praiseworthy, it is generally just the opposite. People can be easily offended, and the more we seek to coddle them, the more "sensitive" they become, yet very few seem to take offense at taking God's Name in vain. Human respect has replaced respect for God, truth, and goodness. Our media will erase or "bleep out" things that may offend others. Still, the blasphemies against God or the curses and careless overuse of the Holy Name of Jesus Christ are allowed, condoned, and even promoted. Our sources of information and entertainment have been demonically corrupted.

We have become quite creative in making ever new euphemisms to speak of "unpleasant" things. And it appears that the more careful we are about not offending, the more offended some people become. Our sensitivities on the worldly side are endlessly increasing while our indifference and even hostility to God and the Church appear to be caught up in an ever downward spiral.

Our goal should be not to be offensive to others, but more importantly, we should seek not to offend God and the Truth. The truth is often uncomfortable to our fallen nature. The answer is not to deny the truth but rather to embrace the harsh truth as our daily cross and increase grace and virtue in ourselves. Rather than take offense at what others may say to us or about us, let us embrace the virtue of humility — especially if there may be some truth to what has been said. The wounds to our pride and ego are the foundations upon which we are to build grace and virtue. Rather than blame the messenger for pointing out the truth, we should strive to remove, change, or rise above that which embarrasses or humbles us.

If those who strive to insult us speak the truth, we should be grateful for the admonition to do better and to be more like Jesus Christ. If those who strive to insult us, speak lies or untruths, we should be grateful for the opportunity to suffer this injustice patiently for the love of God and in more perfect imitation of Jesus Christ Who was also falsely accused.

We cannot always guard against the input we receive through our senses, but we can control the words that come from us. What we hear and see is often out of our direct control, but we can become more aware of the places and people we spend our time listening to and seeing and choose more wisely. We can and often should ask ourselves if what we are seeing and hearing is pleasing to God, the Blessed Virgin, the Saints and Angels, etc. If we cannot correct the situation we are in, we can then avoid this situation by going somewhere else or doing something else. Instead of trying so hard to be politically correct, we should strive harder to be spiritually correct.

If we correct the input to our senses, we do a lot to correct the words that come from us. It is not what goes in us that defiles us, but rather what comes from us that defiles us. We are less likely to conform to the sinful words and sights of the demonically inspired world around us if we learn not to look for or listen to it.

Through custody or control of our senses, we guard against what enters our hearts and minds. While sights and sounds may be evil, we should realize that they are mostly temptations. It is when we desire or consent to evil sights and sounds that we embrace the sins being portrayed. Once the sin has taken hold, it is not long before it is manifested in our words and actions. It is through these outward sinful words and actions that we scandalize others and defile ourselves.

May the Immaculate Heart of Mary inspire, guide, and protect us.

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