Ben Sirach offers more wise advice today, this time regarding speech and friendship. "A kind mouth multiplies friends and appeases enemies,/ and gracious lips prompt friendly greetings." (Sir 5:5) We read an echo of this in the letter of James: "If a man offends not with his tongue, the same is a perfect man." (Jas.3:2-) One of the best things we might say about a person, and we often hear this in eulogies: "So and So never said an unkind word." An ideal a goal for which to strive. Our mouth, our tongue, can be an instrument of healing and compassion...a kind word, a smile...all based in that lower region of our face. It can also be a source of venom, division, or violence. The power of words, the power of the mouth...delightful, dangerous. May the Holy Spirit guide us to use this gift for good rather than for ill, to make friends, not enemies.
Bro. Rene
Note. I had no internet connection yesterday, hence no slice of bread...I apologize.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment