Tuesday, March 15 : Saint John Cassian

In every respect be “quick to hear but slow to speak” lest there befall you what Solomon mentions: “If you see a man who is quick with words, know that a fool has more hope than he.” (Pr 29:20 LXX). Nor should anyone presume to teach in words what he has not previously done in deeds. Our Lord taught us by his own example that we should follow this order, as it is said, as it is said: “Which Jesus began to do and teach.” (Acts 1:1) Be careful therefore that you do not jump to teaching before you have acted and be counted among those of whom the Lord speaks to his disciples in the gospel: “Observe and do what they say but do not do according to their works. For they bind heavy burdens, hard to carry, and place them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves do not move them with their finger.” (Mt 23:4) For if the person “who breaks the least commandment and teaches people so shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven,” it follows that whoever neglects many great things and dares to teach is certainly not merely least in the kingdom of heaven but should be considered greatest in the punishment of Gehenna. Therefore, you should be careful lest you be stirred to teach by the example of those who have acquired skill in speaking and a fluent tongue and who are believed by those who are unable to discern its power and character to possess spiritual knowledge because they can say whatever they want elaborately and at length. For it is one thing to speak with ease and beauty and another to enter deeply into heavenly sayings and to contemplate profound and hidden mysteries with the most pure eye of the heart, because certainly neither human teaching nor worldly learning but only purity of mind will possess this, through the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit.
Roman Catholic Ordinary Calendar – rosary,team