All knowledge comes to use through the five senses. Imagine how important it is to hear, to see, to speak, to touch and to smell. Why we can hardly imagine life without these wondrous senses which give us so much delight and power. Yet these senses do not only give us knowledge in the world but also are essential for going beyond this world. To see with faith leads us to the knowledge of God and acceptance of His revelations. To hear the Word of God grants us wisdom to prepare ourselves for an eternity. To speak of holiness draws down the very blessings of God. To smell the fragrance of God’s presence delights the heart to rest in the bosom of God. To touch the very person of Jesus in the Eucharist fills one’s being with intense satisfaction.
As we can recognize the senses do not limit the soul to this world but are present to speak of an eternity of divine love. What causes the disruption of these senses…only sin! Sin darkens the senses so that what should have been a window looking into the eternal becomes a mirror which focuses on self. The miracle of Jesus in the Gospel today centers upon the senses of hearing and speaking. At baptism the priest anoints the babe that its ears might be prepared to hear the wisdom of God and follow it. Then the babe receives salt upon its tongue that when it can speak it will utter the words of God.
Consider the last Sacrament, Extreme Unction, in which the senses are all anointed in order to heal the soul of any sin that came to us through the use of the senses. It is a great consolation to our families to know that prior to our death we were anointed with this last sacrament and we received a plenary indulgence for the remission of our sins. Let us then study the spiritual life which is exposed by what we hear and what we say.
First aspect, out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. If the heart is filled with the Word of God it crowds out the word of the world. This good soul daily listens and reads the words that come through God in that holy book called the Bible. All wisdom is present there. All the words are substantial and not accidental. Hence the Word of God is like God in Himself: it is eternal, prophetic and creative. One who lives on this word like the monks of old finds himself delighting in divine conversations. This soul is destined for eternal happiness.
Second aspect, conversations determine direction. If our conversations are critical of others, then the soul is filled with the words of the world. In contrast the words of the world cast down; they are fleeting and they are destructive. As our Lord remarked to the Pharisees, you are liars like your father, Satan. The words of the world lead to an eternity of sadness and suffering. The words of the world are suggestive, immodest, critical, aggressive, etc. When we are involved in conversation with the worldly, it drains us of our energies and we are so happy to be finished and on our way. What do we do after being involved in a conversation with the worldly?
Third aspect, we must cleanse ourselves of the worldly conversations through a sincere act of perfect contrition for ourselves and for those who spoke. We can place the Blood of Christ over them as they speak. We can refresh ourselves by turning to the Word of God and that Word will cast out all the effects of that horrendous conversation. Today more than ever before, the evil one is polluting the vehicles of communication from the tongue to the television. All avenues of communication are being tainted with four lettered language which can kill our immortal souls. Hence we must be on the alert and beg the Lord to touch our ears and our tongues that we might only hear that which lifts us up and speak only those words that edify our neighbor.
When will it end? When the words of the Holy Father consecrate Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, then the transformation will bring about a peace and holiness we cannot even imagine. Pray many rosaries for the Holy Father’s conversion and that he might have the courage to really lead the Church as a Holy Father ought.
In the hearts of Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
Fr. Richard Voigt
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