Today we celebrate the Feast of St. John Chrysostom. Here is one of his sayings: "Let us always guard our tongue; not that it should always be silent, but that it should speak at the proper time."

Most of us sin with our tongue more than with any other part of our bodies. Recall the words of St. James in his Letter: "No human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. This need not be so, my brothers." (8-10) It is easy for us to speak negatively about another rather positively. It is easy for us to speak a word of judgment rather than one of praise. It takes a conscious effort on our part to bridle the tongue, so that what we say will be useful to build a person up rather than tear them down. Tonight, before going to sleep, review your day, what you said about others. In the morning, ask God for the grace to curb your tongue, saying only what builds another up and gives God praise.