Words of Instruction Regarding the Tongue

The faculty of speech is such a magnificent gift of God, and one that is so easy to employ usefully. Since, however, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue" (Prov. 18,21), it is of the utmost importance to remind ourselves constantly to bridle this tiny instrument that can easily manifest itself as St. James describes, "full of deadly poison."  He goes on to say that "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 proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so." (James 3, 9-10)

We seldom digest the words of the Scriptures well enough to put them into practical daily use unto spiritual profit, and thus more forceful and frightening words become necessary to divert us from this grave spiritual pitfall. Listen to the Seraphic Doctor thunder against detraction: "O tongue of the detractor! Wicked tongue! O infernal cruelty! O hate and envy! O deadly disease! Thou it is who dost sow discords, crush the good, discredit the just, beget scandals, perjuries, false witnesses,; and ever dost thou multiply malicious charges! Thou dost not cease to arouse rancors, strifes, envies, angers, fights, insults, and divisions; and thou dost foster and nourish partialities and dissensions." It not only an evil, dear Catholic souls; there is yet more to abhor: "Therefore, do not be afraid to call the tongue of the detractor more cruel than the spear stabbing the side of Christ; for it digs the Mystical Body of Christ while He still lives. The thorns stinging His head and the nails piercing his hands and feet were no more harmfully agonizing than the tongue of the detractor which pierces His very heart."
May these words serve to humble our proud and boastful speech, and make us more Christ-like in all meekness.