February 27 - One Bread, One Body
February 27, Eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time
Cycle C Readings:
1) Sirach 27:4-7
Psalm 92:2-3, 13-16
2) 1 Corinthians 15:54-58
Luke 6:39-45
Speaking Scripture
“Each man speaks from his heart's abundance.” — Luke 6:45
“A man’s speech [discloses] the bent of his mind” (Sir 27:6). What you say reveals what is in your heart. St. Dominic advised to speak only to God or of God. One of the very best ways to learn how to speak as God would have us speak is to immerse ourselves daily in the Word of God. As we daily make our home in the Word of God, that Word then makes its home in us. Our words become His words; our native language more and more becomes “Scripture.” God’s Word fills our heart, and we speak from our heart’s abundance, which is Scripture (see Lk 6:45).
Like Jesus, we say what the Father puts on our heart. Yet we only say what will build the kingdom of God and not tear it down. “We must consider how to rouse each other to love and good deeds” (Heb 10:24). “Never let evil talk pass your lips; say only the good things men need to hear, things that will really help them” (Eph 4:29).
Therefore, beg the Holy Spirit for the grace to “seek eagerly after...the gift of prophecy” (1 Cor 14:1). A prophet speaks what God is saying at the time He is saying it. The Holy Spirit is faithful (1 Thes 5:24), and He will “remind you of all that” the Lord has said (Jn 14:26). Therefore, “do not stifle the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies” (1 Thes 5:19-20). “The Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment all that should be said” (Lk 12:12).
Prayer: Father, through Your Word, teach me “what to say and how to speak” (Jn 12:49).
Promise: “You know that your toil is not in vain when it is done in the Lord.” —1 Cor 15:58
Praise: Praise Jesus, risen Lord of my life, my body, and my tongue!
Rescript: In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Imprimatur ("Permission to Publish") for One Bread, One Body covering the period from February 1, 2022 through March 31, 2022.
†Most Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio June 16, 2021.
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.