Be Quick to Listen But Slow to Speak.

Wednesday 19^th February 2020. Read James 1:19-27, Psalm 15 and Mark 8:22-26.

_“Let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger” *(James 1:19)*_ 

The tongue might be the smallest, yet it is the most powerful organ of the body. Like a tiny match stick, the tongue is capable of setting a whole forest ablaze. The tongue is so powerful, when it utters words, we can never take them back. As the saying goes, “wise people think before speaking but fools speak before thinking.” St. James teaches us today that the mark of a mature Christian is his/her ability to control the tongue. “If anyone thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this man’s religion is vain.” (James 1:26)

Jesus showed us the power of controlling the tongue when a woman was brought to him who was caught in the act of adultery. It was a double-edged sword. A quick response would have either presented Jesus as one who is against the Law of Moses or as one who is heartless. Jesus took his time by writing on the floor before coming up with a response that sent away those who sought to test Him.

If we react to every provocation, we would be no different from non-Christians, as St. James puts it, we would be like people who look at their image in a mirror and suddenly forget what they look like. We would be hearers and not doers of the word. Avoid being tossed about like by the wind. Anger, when it is not properly controlled, brings out the animal in us, it prevents us from the full use of our reasoning faculties. Decisions and statements uttered in anger always turn out to be most regretful.

The best thing to do when provoked to anger is to leave the scene, take some very deep breaths and utter some words of prayer. This way, you are not moved to speak or to act irrationally as a result of the provocation. No matter how angry you are, there is always a way to communicate your pain without regretting later. This skill is called emotional intelligence. It begins by learning to listen deeply to others. This is the meaning of being “quick to hear.”

Have you been a very angry person? Do you find yourself regretting over words uttered or actions done out of annoyance? Do you consider yourself as hot-tempered? You can always learn to be emotionally intelligent. Note that this skill does not come overnight. It takes months and even years of dedicated practice and patience to learn it. More still, it takes the grace of God and constant prayer to become a master of your tongue and your emotions.

In the healing of the blind man, Jesus today teaches us that healing can also happen in a gradual process. Perhaps you have been praying for something for quite some time and it seems as if nothing is happening. Don’t stop. Don’t give up on God. Keep praying, soon what you see as trees walking around would become real humans before your eyes.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, teach me to listen more than I speak that I may not fall into the trap of regret. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. It is well with you. (Wednesday of the 6th week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: James 1:19-27, Psalm 15 and Mark 8:22-26).