Nothing to Squawk About

One guruism with a moral impact - in a tickle-the-funny-bone context - is the sage advice: "Live your life in such a way that you wouldn't be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip."

Less facetiously, but just as forcefully, God's word offers similar advice regarding edifying speech and behavior: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful, ...that it may benefit those who listen" (Eph 4:29). Paul adds other norms for edification: "In everything set an example by doing what is good...Show integrity...and soundness of speech, ...so that those who oppose you may...have nothing bad to say about us" (Ti 2:7-8). And Paul tells Timothy to "set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity,...so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers" (1 Tm 4:12-16).

"Edify the church, ...build up the church," he wrote to neophyte Christians (1 Cor 14:4, 12). "When you were pagans...you were influenced and led astray" (12:2). Having been poisoned by bad example, they were now to nourish others...with good example. Live such good lives among the pagans that they may see your good deeds and glorify God" (1 Pt 2:12).

Ask yourself: Do I always edify others - and thus glorify God?

This excerpt is from the book One-Minute Meditations for Busy People, by John H. Hampsch, C.M.F., originally published by Servant Publications. It and other of Fr. Hampsch's books and audio/video recordings can be purchased from Claretian Teaching Ministry, 20610 Manhattan Pl, #120, Torrance, CA 90501-1863. Phone 1-310-782-6408 or www.Catholicbooks.net