Acts 7:55-60 / Apocalypse 22:12-14, 16-17, 20 / John 17:20-26
When it comes to personal hygiene, one of the habits that we would observe is what we put into our mouths.
If we are what we eat, then we need to be careful about what goes into our mouths because it will go into our digestive system.
So, other than good clean food, and things that are good for our body and health, there shouldn't be much else that would go into our mouths.
With that being said, let us now think about what comes out of our mouths.
If only what is good should go into our mouths, then what comes out from our mouths should only be good.
If what goes into our mouths is good, but what comes out is bad, then obviously there is something wrong.
We have the ability to speak, and what comes out of our mouths are words that are a means of communication with others.
The number of words we use in a day is interesting, but even more amazing is the power of the words we use.
Because words can make or break a person, and words can create a situation or environment that is comfortable or irritable.
The gospel passage is about a long prayer of Jesus. In that prayer, Jesus prayed for His disciples and also for those who through the words of His disciples will come to believe in Him.
As Christians, what comes out of our mouths are prayers of praise and thanksgiving to God.
So, what comes out of our mouths are good, it is for worship and prayers.
But it is not only in Church that we do that. Outside of Church, what comes out of our mouth should be for the good of others and help them to be better persons and to get on with life.
We must reflect on what kind of words are coming out of our mouths. Are our words kind and gentle, or are they angry and abusive?
Do our words help others and give them hope, or do we badmouth others and end up arguing and quarrelling with them?
Jesus reminds us of the power of our words. By our words, others will either believe in Him or turn away from Him.
Jesus prayed for us and also for those who by our words will come to believe in Him.
May our words always be a prayer of worship, praise and thanksgiving to God.
May the words that we speak to others be a prayer for them.
When we speak to others, let it be a form of prayer that will help them and lift them up from the troubles of life and give them hope.
May what we say to others help them to come to believe in Jesus.
In other words, let us pray to God and let us pray with others.
When the words that come out of our mouths are prayers to God and prayers for others, then the voice of God's love will be heard in Church and in the world.