Our Lips are Sealed

A pop song from '80s has been replaying in my head since I heard it on the radio about a week ago.

I don’t know the lyrics very well, so interiorly I hum a few bars and sing the one line I know: “Our Lips Are Sealed,” which is also the name of the song, sung by the Go-Gos.

"Our lips are sealed" usually means a promise to keep quiet, but the phrase has taken on new meaning for me as it's been repeated in my brain. This week, at the same time I've been thinking about the song, I've had the blessing of being able to go to Mass several times and receive the Eucharist in both the Sacred Host and the Precious Blood.

When I receive Jesus' Precious Blood, I try to drink as little as possible, just a drop, because I know that's sufficient – for me and the whole world. And something strikes my heart in that initial encounter, when the Precious Blood touches my lips.

It makes me feel unworthy as I'm aware of its touch. It reminds me of how I've used my mouth to hurt others with my words. And its bittersweet taste on my tongue seems appropriate: the bitterness for our Lord's suffering and death because of our sins, and the sweetness of the very essence of pure Love, His blood poured out for us.

Now – particularly in the month of July, traditionally dedicated to the Precious Blood – when I think of "Our Lips Are Sealed," I think of them being sealed in the sense of an anointing, through our Lord's precious blood. And what a blessing that is!

In Wednesday's Mass readings, we heard of God appearing to the prophet Jeremiah: “Then the Lord extended His hand and touched my mouth, saying, ‘See, I place my words in your mouth! This day I set you over nations and kingdoms, to root up and to tear down, to destroy and demolish, to build and to plant.’”

If God sanctified Jeremiah with His touch and sent him forth with a holy purpose, how much more has he blessed us with the touch of His Precious Blood on our mouths. We also are called to “root up and tear down, to destroy and demolish” whatever is not of God, sometimes using our mouths for that purpose.

And we also are to use our mouths “to build up” the Kingdom of God and “to plant” His word, like the sower in Jesus' parable in Wednesday’s Gospel reading.

When we receive Jesus' Precious Blood, our lips truly are sealed. We have been given an anointing, a calling. Our mouths are sacred and should be used to build others up, to kiss their wounds, to admonish their sins.

This month and always, let us adore and pray:

“O Sacrament Most Holy! O Sacrament Divine! All praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine!”

Inspired by the Year of Faith, Susan Szalewski began writing weekly columns for us. Although that year is over, we liked them so well that we asked her to keep writing. Thankfully, she said yes. So watch for these on Thursdays and see the Year of Faith Blog here.