8th Sunday in Ordinary Time
First reading Ecclesiasticus 27:5-8
The first reading highlights the crucial role of attentiveness in speech, emphasizing that how we talk reveals the depth of our character. The imagery of a sieve that separates husks from grain, or a kiln that tests the strength of pottery, serves as a metaphor for how speech acts as a refining process, exposing what truly lies within a person’s heart. Words are not mere sounds but reflections of inner truth, and just as a tree’s fruit reveals the care it has received, so too do our words disclose the quality of our thoughts and values. The passage warns against careless or reckless speech, urging us to be mindful of what we say, as words carry the power to build up or destroy. In a world where speech is often used thoughtlessly—whether in personal conversations, public discourse, or the digital realm—this reading calls for discernment, reminding us that the integrity of our words is a measure of our inner moral compass. True wisdom lies not only in knowing when to speak, but also in ensuring that our words are guided by faith, hope, and charity. Thus, the Word of God challenges us to cultivate a habit of reflective speech, where sincerity and virtue shine through in everything we say. Let’s reflect: Do my words consistently reflect my faith, hope and charity that I strive to cultivate within myself, or do they sometimes reveal weaknesses that I need to refine?
Don Giorgio