Sunday, March 2, is the Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Mass readings: Sirach 27:4-7; Psalm 92:2-3, 13-14, 15-16; 1 Corinthians 15:54-58; Luke 6:39-45.

The first reading today says: “When a sieve is shaken, the husks appear; so do one’s faults when one speaks. Praise no one before he speaks, for it is then that people are tested” (Sirach 27:4-7).

Speech is among our greatest gifts, yet self-mastery in speech is rare. Some of the most common sins we commit are related to speech: gossip, idle chatter, lies, exaggeration, harsh attack, and uncharitable remarks.

Here are some common sins of the tongue and Godly instruction to show the needed virtue: 

• speaking falsehoods with the intention of misleading others; “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy” (Proverbs 12:22).
•  talking about others behind their backs, injuring their reputations through detraction; “Never repeat gossip, and you will not be reviled. … Let anything you hear die within you …” (Sirach 19:5).
• spreading confidential, unnecessary or hurtful information about others; “He that goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets, therefore keep no company with such a one” (Proverbs 20:19).
• exaggerating the good qualities of others in order to ingratiate ourselves to them; “May the Lord silence all flattering lips and every boastful tongue” (Psalm 12:4).
• speaking boastfully or in an overly certain way; “The prudent man does not make a show of his knowledge, but fools broadcast their foolishness” (Proverbs 12:23).
• saying too much, which usually ushers in sin by its excess; “When words are many, sin is inevitable, but he who restrains his lips is wise” (Proverbs 10:19).
•  speaking before one should, often without having all the information; “Be not rash with your mouth, and let not your heart be hasty to utter anything before God” (Ecclesiastes 5:1).
•  speaking in an overly opinionated way, attacking others personally, and/or provoking unnecessary division; “Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels” (Proverbs 18:6).
•  wishing harm upon others, often that they be damned; “He loved to pronounce a curse — may it come back on him. He found no pleasure in blessing — may it be far from him” (Psalm 109:17).
• speaking unnecessarily harshly or severely; “Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing” (Proverbs 12:18).
•  failing to speak up when we ought to warn people of sin, call them to the Kingdom, and announce the truth of Jesus Christ. In our age, the triumph of evil and poor behavior has been facilitated by silence. 

As prophets, we are called to speak God’s word: “Proclaim the message; persist in it in season and out of season; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2).

Yes, our speech is often riddled with what it should not have and lacking in what it should, but the Lord can help us speak well. 

“Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3).

May our prayer be: 

Help me, Lord. Put your word in my heart so that when I do speak, it’s really you speaking.