Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity. Our Sunday services this week are at the usual times of 9.15 am at St Agnes’ and 11 am at St Thomas’. If you are unabe to be with us in person, you will find resources below to worship at home.
Our first hymn this morning is "As the Deer Pants for the Water"
Today's Bible Reading
James 3: 1-12 Taming the Tongue
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.
How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell. For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no one can tame the tongue - a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.
Reflection
Last week we looked at James message that actions speak louder than words. However, we see in the part of his epistle a very cautionary warning about the power and impact that our words can have on others and indeed our own lives.
We can I am sure all recall times when we have said something that we regret and wish we had never said. Whether that is something said in the heat of the moment or where we have passed an opinion based on misinformation that has turned out to be wrong.
We have many sayings such as, ”to put your foot in your mouth” or ‘’I opened my mouth and spoke before I put my brain in gear”. A more modern idiom is, “oops did I say that out loud”. Unfortunately, these often seem to be used to trivialise something we have said that may be inappropriate.
In verse 2, James says, "For all of us make many mistakes..". Whilst this is an acknowledgement that none of us are perfect, it does not in any way excuse or absolve us from the responsibility we all have to take care before we say things.
In today’s age I would suggest that also includes what we might share on social media which has far wider implications that what might be said amongst a small gathering or a conversation with a friend.
James uses the analogies of a horse’s bit being used to steer a mighty and powerful horse, and also a rudder being used to steer a huge ship weighing tons. In both cases something disproportionately small has a huge impact on the direction of the thing it is steering.
In the same way, our tongue is a relatively small part of our body but can have significant ramifications for our whole lives. How we use our words, (spoken or written), can steer the direction of our lives and lead us astray from the straight path.
As Jesus said in the Gospel passage we read a few weeks ago, “it is what comes out that defiles us. For it is from within, from the human heart”, [Mark 7:20-21].
What we say reflects on how people perceive who we really are deep down. The opinions and views we articulate shape how others see us. Saying the wrong thing, whether deliberately or because we are just mindlessly repeating someone else’s views opens up a window on our character.
What we say can impact our jobs, our career advancement, and our standing and respect in the community. Like a small rudder can steer a massive ship, what we say with our small tongue can have a massive effect on friendships, relationships, even church and group fellowships.
James goes on to warn that what we say, whether intentionally or not, can have far reaching consequences beyond our imagination; like a raging forest fire started by a single discarded match. We saw a real example of this with the recent riots started by a single individual putting misinformation on the internet and letting it be stoked by others.
Of course it’s not all bad news. How we use our tongue can be a blessing. We can use it as Jesus used his tongue to comfort troubled sinners and to bring them a word of peace and forgiveness and refreshment. We can use it to build bridges between enemies and strive for peace and justice. We can reach out and support those who are despairing and low, as Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” [Matthew 11: 28-30].
Last but not least, we can use our tongue to pray and worship God our Father, and spread the Good News of his kingdom. Let us remember that what we say is a measure of how we walk with God. Paul
Our Prayers
Merciful Father,
Set a watch before my mouth, and guard the door of my lips. Keep me from saying words that later need recalling.
Lord, help me to control my tongue,
to keep it from uttering wrong and hurtful things.
Forgive me for the times I have done that.
Lord, help me to use my tongue to speak good and helpful things.
For that is your will for me
Amen
Our final hymn today is "O, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing"
