Lingua Ignis | Be careful

"With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness." - James 3: 9 (NIV)

Image by Olga Balakir from Pixabay

As I reflect on this chapter, I realize that what Saint James said was true. In reality, our tongue is just a small part of our body, yet one of the most important senses in every human being. With a tongue, we can taste tasty foods. With that tongue, we express our feelings and happiness by saying the loveliest words to others. With the same tongue, we bless the Lord through prayers and chanting hymns. But with our tongue also, we kill other fellows.

As Saint James said that tongue is also a fire, a restless evil, and full of deadly poison. It can burn those whom we do not like. Contemplate our days, sometimes we may witness or encounter lots of discrimination or favoritism based on status or wealth or different religions  in our societies. People are easily judged or violated by others without compassion. It may not through war but words that are often irresponsible.

Jesus often condemned the Pharisees and scribes by saying that they glorified the Lord with beautiful words, but their hearts were full of corruption. As Christians, we are often taught that every word we speak should always glorify God. Then we will live peacefully with everyone and love others as we love ourselves.

"Be mindful of your words and actions - make sure you are lifting people up and not bringing them down." (Stacye Branche)

Reflection on James 3: 1 - 12 by Sr. M. Venidora, SND.

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