Saturday 18 February

James 3: 1-10; Psalm 12; Mark 9: 2-13.

A wise, controlled, charitable speech.

I reflect on my sins of the tongue with sorrow. Jesus said that I would have to account for every careless word I uttered. (Matthew 12:36) Once I have spoken, my words have gone from my control. The tongue is a small part of my body, but it can shape the course of my life and the lives of others. It is little, but powerful. I remember the wise words found in the Book of Proverbs (15, 1-4) “A soft answer turns away wrath: but a harsh word stirs up anger....A gentle tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.”