Gift of Word

Set a watch, o Lord, before my mouth (Ps.140, 3)

The Word of God must abide and grow in our heart, only then we will be able to do good and bring help to those around us. If the Word of God penetrates our heart, it will soften it, tame out temper, calm our stormy thoughts and fill us up with love, which will be reflected in every word of ours, and in every act.

Moreover we need to guard our mouth. We often forget consequences to our words and so reluctantly spit the them out, which can hurt, confuse or even do harm to those around us.

The gift of Christian speech seems beyond reach for so many. Even with good intentions we touch an open wound and bring pain where we wanted to bring consolation. We must pray unceasingly so that our tongue would be at God’s disposal; pray to the Holy Spirit to teach us in the same hour what we ought to say (Lk.12, 12). And then our speeches will do good. Our live will never be in vain if we learn to serve Christ in our words and use His wondrous gift to His Glory.

(Translated by Tatiana Rozzell from “Every Day is a Gift from God. Diaries of an Orthodox Priest”(1905), author unknown)