Catholic Daily Readings 18th February

"Be ye not many masters, my brethren, knowing that you receive the greater judgment.
For in many things we all offend. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man. He is able also with a bridle to lead about the whole body.
For if we put bits into the mouths of horses, that they may obey us: and we turn about their whole body.
Behold also ships, whereas they are great and are driven by strong winds, yet are they turned about with a small helm, whithersoever the force of the governor willeth.
Even so the tongue is indeed a little member and boasteth great things. Behold how small a fire kindleth a great wood.
And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is placed among our members, which defileth the whole body and inflameth the wheel of our nativity, being set on fire by hell.
For every nature of beasts and of birds and of serpents and of the rest is tamed and hath been tamed, by the nature of man.
But the tongue no man can tame, an unquiet evil, full of deadly poison.
By it we bless God and the Father: and by it we curse men who are made after the likeness of God.
Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be."
James 3.1-10

"Save me, O Lord, for there is now no saint: truths are decayed from among the children of men.
They have spoken vain things, every one to his neighbour: with deceitful lips, and with a double heart have they spoken.
May the Lord destroy all deceitful lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things.
Who have said: We will magnify our tongue: our lips are our own: who is Lord over us?
By reason of the misery of the needy, and the groans of the poor, now will I arise, saith the Lord. I will set him in safety: I will deal confidently in his regard.
The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried by the fire, purged from the earth, refined seven times.
Thou, O Lord, wilt preserve us: and keep us from this generation for ever."
Psalm 12.2-3,4-5,7-8

"And his garments became shining and exceeding white as snow, so as no fuller upon earth can make white.
And there appeared to them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.
And Peter answering, said to Jesus: Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. And let us make three tabernacles, one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
For he knew not what he said: for they were struck with fear.
And there was a cloud overshadowing them. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying: This is my most beloved Son. Hear ye him.
And immediately looking about, they saw no man any more, but Jesus only with them.
And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them not to tell any man what things they had seen, till the Son of man shall be risen again from the dead.
And they kept the word to themselves; questioning together what that should mean, when he shall be risen from the dead.
And they asked him, saying: Why then do the Pharisees and scribes say that Elias must come first?
Who answering, said to then: Elias, when he shall come first, shall restore all things; and as it is written of the Son of man that he must suffer many things and be despised.
But I say to you that Elias also is come (and they have done to him whatsoever they would), as it is written of him.
And coming to his disciples he saw a great multitude about them and the scribes disputing with them."
Mark 9.2-13