Mental Prayer Meditation Helps
Presence of God
Grace I Ask: Jesus, give me light to see how I may serve you by my conversation.
The Idea: At this time of the year, many store owners consider taking inventory. Since January is the traditional month of recalling the Holy Name of Jesus, today would be a good time to take an inventory of my knowledge and practice of the Second Commandment: "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain."
Swearing, or taking an oath, means to ca1l upon God as a witness to the truth of what I am saying, and obviously to ask God to do this for me, I must have a sufficient reason.
Blasphemy, which is always a mortal sin, means real contempt for, or real insult to, God. How rare among Catholics of this country does this occur today?
Cursing means to wish physical or spiritual harm to someone. Normally, however, the expressions used are not meant seriously.
Profanity, or the disrespectful use of the Holy Name in anger or thoughtlessly, is another way in which we can offend the God of majesty and goodness. Vulgar expressions of themselves are not sinful, though they hardly become anyone.
Of course, there is much more to all this than avoiding wrong. Our first aim shall be to praise God positively, not simply to stop sinning. It only takes a second or two to say a short prayer such as "Blessed be the name of Jesus" or "Blessed be His Holy Name."
With this, too, we can help make reparation for sins of speech we have committed.
Thought for Today: Blessed be the name of Jesus.
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Adapted from Mental Prayer, Challenge to the Lay Apostle
by The Queen's Work,(© 1958)
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