We need to be careful about how we think, speak, and act toward others. The enemy tempts us consistently in negative ways regarding how we think about ourselves as well as how we think about each other. We do not ever really know what someone else is thinking or going through. We also don’t know their background, what they have experienced in their lives. We do not know their heart and minds or what unresolved issues they are operating under or working through. We may not even know our own, which the enemy will be very happy to keep exploiting at our expense.

Each of us have four basic temperaments: choleric, sanguine, melancholic, and phlegmatic that we operate under. Last semester we met as a whole group and each of us seminarians raised our hands to reveal our temperament. Some seminarians raised their hand for one particular type. Each of them I had felt a very subtle but instinctual resistance to keep my distance from. Of course, they were on the opposite extreme of my temperament.

That was a great lightbulb moment for me, it made sense. I made an extra effort with one of the guys to get to know him better. That tweak of perspective helped me to no longer buy into the lies the enemy was attempting to sell me on.

All this is a lead up to what Paul encourages us in our first reading today. It is important for all of us to, “encourage one another and build one another up.” This is especially true with our thoughts regarding how we think about ourselves and others. As we are more discerning with our thoughts, then our words and actions will follow.

When we are feeling challenged or there is some persistent negativity arising, we can do as Jesus did in the Gospel today when he rebuked the demon to come out of the man. We can say in Jesus’ name, “Be quiet! And come out!” to any thought or negative influence we are experiencing. By our baptism we are children of God and are given the authority to claim in Jesus’ name. Important for us to do so!

Let us pray for each other and “encourage one another and build one another up”!

Photo: CN strong!

Link for the Mass readings for Tuesday, September 5, 2023