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Sermon and Sermon Outlines on the Epistlefor the Fourth Sunday of Easter May 10,2009
The first several pages contain two sermon outlines; the first fromSt Thomas Aquinas, the second from Father George Willaim Howe.Readers may be tempted to pass over these outline for the sermon, butthis would be a mistake. While reading an outline maynot be thatexciting, I believe that you will find food for thought and meditation by perusing these texts. The sermon is from Father JohannEvangelish Zollner, it is not based on the outlines and focuses onthe gifts of God, which theme opens the Epistle reading.
The Text of the Epistle:
Jas 1:17Every best gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no change nor shadow of alteration.Jas 1:18For of his own will hath he begotten us by the word of truth, that we might be some beginningof his creature.Jas 1:19You know, my dearest brethren. And let every man be swift to hear, but slow to speak andslow to anger.Jas 1:20For the anger of man worketh not the justice of God.Jas 1:21Wherefore, casting away all uncleanness and abundance of naughtiness, with meeknessreceive the ingrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
Sermon Notes #1
 
 Aquinas' Notes On the Epistle
Little Speech
Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak
-James 1:19In these words the Apostle St james bids us be more slow in speakingthan in hearing, and these considerations ought to move us to this-Firstly, the testimony of nature. Secondly, the harm of muchspeaking. Thirdly, the benefit of little speaking.I. On the third head it is to be noted, that nature teaches us in athreefold way that we should rather hear, than speak.
1.
Nature gave to man a double hearing, and only a singleinstrument of speaking, and this in itself shows, that in atwofold degree man ought rather to hear than to speak.
2.
Nature gave to very man animals the faculty of hearing, but notthe faculty of speech save to the rational animal, man; so thatspeech ought to be rational: “Let your speech be always withgrace, seasoned with salt” (Col 4:6).
 
3.
Nature gave the instruments of hearing ever open, but theinstrument of speech she closed by two barriers or protections:for man has his ears ever open, but his tongue closed in by hislips and teeth. The tongue is like an evil monarch, andtherefore God enclosed it with many barriers: “Keep the doors ofthy mouth” (Micah 7:5).II. On the second head it is to be noted, that a threefold evil comesthrough much speaking:
1.
The evil of sin: “In the multitude of thy words there wantethnot sin” (Prov 10:19).
2.
the evil of punishment: “He that useth many words shall hurt hisown soul” (Eccl 20:8).
3.
The evil of infamy “He that answereth a matter before he hearethit, it is folly and shame unto him” (Prov 18:13). Concerningthese three evils the first relates to St James' words “Thetongue is a world of iniquity;” the second to his words “Thetongue is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison;” and the thirdto his words “The tongue among our members defileth the wholebody.”III. On the third head it is to be noted, that a threefold advantageflows to him who hears much and speaks little:1.The good thing of grace: “Hear in silence, and for thy reverencegood grace shall come unto thee” (Eccl 32:9).2.The good thing of wisdom: “If thou wilt incline thine ear thoushalt receive instruction, and if thou love to hear thou shaltbe wise” (Eccl 6:34).3.Happiness and tranquility of mind: “Whoso keepeth his mouth andhis tongue keepeth his soul from troubles, &c” (Prov 21:21).
Sermon Outline #2Father George Edward Howe
Hearing and Speaking
I. The early part of the Epistle speaks of the gifts of God.II. These words suggest means to obtain them.
How so and why?1.
Hearing is a means to learning: “A wise man shall hear and shallbe wiser” (Prov 1:5).a. Students learn, by hearing the teaching of a master.b. But speaking is rather the work of a teacher.
 
1. It is more safe and useful to hear than to speak.2. No man can teach well that has not first learnt well.
2
. God, who is all wise, gives an example:a. For countless ages, He was infinitely happy in Himself alone.b. Slowly only, viz., at the beginning of time, he spoke Hisfirst word. The
fiat
that brought all things being.c. During all the years of human history God has seldom spoken.Man speaks more in one year than God has since creating them.d. They best imitate God who are slow to speak.
3.
Our Incarnate Lord gives us examples:a. During thirty years, He listened much and spoke littleb. Only in His thirtieth year did He begin to teach. And whofew His words compared with His wisdom!
4.
Example of the Angels, who most approach God in intelligence:a. How few their words, as recorded in the Sacred Pages:1. Raphael to Tobit (Tob 5).2. Michael to Daniel (Dan 10).3. Gabriel to the Blessed Virgin Mary (Luke 1).4.The author seems to have forgotten Gabriel appeared toDaniel (Dan 8:13ff).b. Among themselves, the intercommunicate as by acts of thewill.
5.
Nature itself would seem to suggest the same:a. The more intelligent animals use their voice but little: theelephant, the horse.b. Many birds of beautiful song sing only at stated times: thenightingale and blackbird.c. The others are ever chirping: the swallow, the sparrow.d. Man has two ears, only one tongue: the former ever open, thelatter enclosed (obviously relying on Aquinas here)
6.
Talkativeness is a sign of foolishness; silence, of wisdom:”
He thatsetteth bounds to his words, is knowing and wise: and the man of understanding is of aprecious spirit” (Prov 17:27).
“
Hast thou seen a man hasty to speak? folly is rather to belooked for, than his amendment” (Prov 29:20). “The talking of a fool is like a burden in the way: but in the lips of the wise, grace shall be found” Sir 21:29).
7.
Wise men have ever taught the same, both Pagan and Christian:a. Pagans: Zeno, Demosthenes, Solon. b. Christians: St Gregory Nanzianzus, St Basil, St Bernard.
Lessons from the text:
1. “Swift to hear”a. Be willing to listen and learn in sermons, lectures, readings.
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