“lord, open my lips” (ps 51:17)
“They have mouths but speak not.” —Psalm 115:5 “The mute [man] began to speak.” —Matthew 9:33
In today’s Gospel, Jesus casts out a demon from a man who could not speak and the mute man spoke (Mt 9:32-33). Then Jesus appeals for us to pray for laborers for the harvest of souls, because those who would speak up to spread the Gospel message are few (Mt 9:37).
Many Christians “have mouths but speak not” of the Good News of Jesus the Redeemer (Ps 115:5). In that regard, when we can’t speak for the Lord, we bear a resemblance to the idols of today’s psalm response: we can’t speak with our mouths when it comes to witnessing for Jesus and spreading the Good News.
In His infinite mercy, Jesus has come down from heaven to purify our lips (see Is 6:7-8) and open our mouths to speak of Him (see Ps 51:17). Jesus made a mute man speak and He still does so today (see Heb 13:8).
Invite Jesus to put His words in your mouth (Jer 1:9). When you fall deeply in love with Jesus, you “cannot help speaking of what [you] have heard and seen” (Acts 4:20). Offer yourself and your voice to Jesus as a worker for the harvest (Mt 9:37-38).
Prayer: Father, fill my heart with the love of Your Son. Grant that I would then speak of Him from the abundance of that love (Lk 6:45).
Promise: “Our God is in heaven; whatever He wills, He does.” —Ps 115:3
Praise: Ralph uses his job of serving food as an opportunity to spread God’s light and love to his customers.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
(Are you following the Lord in the Single Vocation? We have a retreat for you Sept. 18-20. Call 513-373-2397 or see www.presentationministries.com to register.)
Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from June 1, 2026, through July 31, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio November 12, 2025"
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.