The Words We Speak

Last updated on: February 20, 2013 at 7:36 am by texasmommy

The Words We Speak 2013-02-20T07:36:32-06:00 texasmommy

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I have posted this Lenten hymn here before as it is one of my favorites for Lent. I especially like the third stanza:

More sparing therefore let us make
The words we speak, the food we take,
Our sleep and mirth,–and closer barred
Be ev’ry sense in closer guard.

My diet is already so limited by my baby’s needs that I can’t really spare any additional calories by foregoing food this Lent. However, the same cannot be said for the words that leave my mouth. A few weeks ago I read a quotation from a homily of St. Gregory of Nyssa that has stayed with me (even as I forget almost everything else) that we must, “not to converse with torrents of words and not to allow the words that spring to mind fall like hail, through speaking impetuously.”

Working in politics, it is very easy to see the perils of impetuous words. Many careers have ended in an instant.

But do I apply that same conscious restraint that one would use speaking before constituents or diplomats when correcting my own children or speaking with my husband?

Are my words like hail as St. Gregory cautions or are they like gentle rain, encouraging a child to make a good choice?

Am I thinking not only about what I am saying but how I am saying it?

Does my tone of voice (exasperation, frustration) instantly put someone of the defensive?

How often do I speak about myself instead of listening to others? How much of what I say is complaining?

Just something I am pondering the Lent. I hope you all are having a blessed Lent!

Hymn at Matins for the Office of Lent

The fast, as taught by holy lore,
We keep in solemn course once more,
The fast to all men known and bound
In forty days of yearly round.

The law and seers that were of old
In divers ways this Lent foretold,
Which Christ, all seasons’ King and guide,
In after ages sanctified.

More sparing therefore let us make
The words we speak, the food we take,
Our sleep and mirth,–and closer barred
Be ev’ry sense in closer guard.

Keep we from vilest thoughts apart
That undermine the restless heart,
And yield no ground in ghostly fight
With crafty fiends’ usurping might.

In prayer together let us fall,
And cry for mercy one and all,
And weep before the Judge’s feet,
And his avenging wrath entreat.

Thy grace have we offended sore,
By sins, O God, which we deplore;
But pour upon us from on high,
O pard’ning One, thy clemency.

Remember thou, though frail we be,
That yet thine handiwork are we;
Nor let the honor of thy Name
Be by another put to shame.

Forgive the sin that we have wrought,
Increase the good that we have sought,
That we at length, our wand’rings o’er,
May please thee here and evermore.

Grant, O thou Blessed Trinity,
Grant, O Essential Unity,
That this, our fast of forty days,
May work our profit and thy praise.Amen.

Liturgical Seasons

Previous Post

February 18, 2013

Big Family Disney Adventures

Next Post

February 21, 2013 Thoughts on Thursday

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Builders' Favorite Posts Children Education & Homeschool Food and Nutrition Health Home Organization Inside Our Inbox Keeping It Real Liturgical Seasons Marriage Miscellaneous Motherhood and Parenting Nature and the Environment NFP and Fertility Politics and Current Events Pregnancy Recipes Spiritual Life The Catholic Church Thoughts for Thursday Uncategorized

Select a Month April 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

How many books are named after prophets in the Old Testament?

Select your answer to see how you score.

12 21 17 5