The theme I find in today’s readings is all about speaking. In Exodus, Moses pleads to God: I am slow of speech and tongue. Send someone else. But the Lord tells him: I will be with your mouth and what you shall speak. In Psalm 31 the David speaks to God and asks that He lead, rescue and guide him. In Corinthians, chapter 14, Paul, who has just spoken so eloquently of love in chapter 13, now calls on us to speak openly and clearly to each other, saying: I’d rather speak five understandable words that instruct others than 10,000 words in a tongue. Finally, in Mark 9, the disciples fall silent when Christ asks what they were talking about. What they had been speaking about was who would be greatest. Christ answers them with crystal clarity by taking a child in his arms. He says that by receiving with the simplicity of a child we receive not only Him but his Father who sent Him to us. It is that simple trust in God to give us the words to speak and the understanding through prayer to know God that we demonstrate our faith. Lord, help my unbelief.
Exodus 4:10-31
Psalm 31; Psalm 35
I Corinthians 14:1-19
Mark 9:30-41
