How often are we given the chance to speak? For some, it's many times a day, for some it's very little. However, when we are given the freedom, the opportunity to Speak, what do we say? Are the words used to bring people down, to gossip, to cause harm in the world? Or do we use our words to help others, to give good advice, to compliment others, to glorify God in what we say. We are all given the ability to speak, but are given the freedom to control what we say, and this can be a challenge. For some, it can mean not rising up to the challenge when something needs to be said, an example being standing up for a friend as others hurt them and try to bring them down. How then can we use this great gift to represent God's goodness in the world?

If we look at the person of Jesus, he used words constantly in his daily ministry, teaching and speaking to the hearts of all who listened, trying to reveal God's truth for them. In speaking to them, Jesus was able to turn many away from lives of hate and towards God, towards love. I know personally, it is hard sometimes to be uplifting and always speak positively about my peers. Sometimes, it is easier to take a moment to let out all of the negative thoughts and unload on someone than it is to take a positive spin on life and use that opportunity to be helpful and insightful about faith. Not saying that we will always be positive, and will never put down another in life, but that we should try to be positive in every moment we can.

Today's Gospel states:'That very day two of them were going to a village named Emma'us, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had Happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, "What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cle'opas, answered him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" And he said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but him they did not see." And he said to them, "O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, but they constrained him, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their sight. They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?" And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, who said, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread' (Luke 24:13-45).

These men had the chance to share the Good News of Jesus' resurrection, but they didn't truly believe. Instead, their words were of fear and disbelief. Jesus tells them how foolish they are, not even being able to recognize whom they speak to, Jesus himself. They were not positive in their words, but disbelieving. Let us all be careful and wise with what we say and when we chose to speak, to share the Good News of God.

Today's prayer comes from 'Catholic Answers' a prayer before speaking:

Let the words of my mouth,and the meditation of my heart,be acceptable in thy sight,O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.St. Bernardine or Siena, patron of public speaking, pray for us!Amen.