raise your voice
Elisha "wrought many marvels by his mere word." —Sirach 48:12
When we say what God wants us to say, our words:
- are "as a flaming furnace" (Sir 48:1). They purify those who listen to them as fire purifies gold (see 1 Pt 1:7; Lk 24:32),
- can shut the heavens (Sir 48:3), stop evil (Mt 16:19), and destroy kings (Sir 48:6),
- can bring down fire (Sir 48:3), move mountains (Mt 17:20), raise the dead (Sir 48:5), and loose the works of God (Mt 16:19),
- can bring anointing to kings and prophets (Sir 48:8),
- can "put an end to wrath before the day of the Lord" (Sir 48:10),
- can "turn back the hearts of fathers toward their sons" (Sir 48:10),
- can re-establish the Church (see Sir 48:10), and
- can be like the words of Elijah and Elisha — only much more powerful (Mt 11:11; Jn 14:12).
Your words can be this powerful, anointed, and anointing because "you yourselves will not be the speakers; the Spirit of your Father will be speaking in you" (Mt 10:20). Speak the Word of God. See the grace, power, and glory of God!
Prayer: Father, open my ears to hear You so I can open my mouth in Your name (see Is 50:4).
Promise: "If you forgive the faults of others, your heavenly Father will forgive you yours. If you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive you." —Mt 6:14-15
Praise: St. Aloysius renounced an inheritance so as to follow Jesus (see Lk 9:59-60). He devoted himself to serving God until he died at age twenty-four.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our leaflet, Seek Prophecy, or our tape on audio AV 14A-1, AV 14A-3, AV 14B-1 or video V-14A, V-14B.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 29, 2012
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