“O Word Made Flesh, stand guard at the gate of my mouth. Be my voice this day that the words I speak will be healing, affirming, true and gentle. Give me wisdom to think before I speak. Bless the words in me that are waiting to be spoken. Live and abide in my words so that others will feel safe in my presence. Place my words in the kiln of your heart that they may be enduring and strong, tempered and seasoned with love and resilience. Give me a well-trained tongue that has been borne out of silent listening in the sanctuary of my heart. May my words become love in the lives of others. Amen” (Macrina Wiederkehr, Seven Sacred Pauses: Living Mindfully Through the Hours of the Day).

I think the old adage has proven true: you have two ears and one mouth so that you can listen twice as much as you speak. May the words you choose be full of blessing and not curses. May the words you speak give life, not quench it. May the words of your mouth be pleasing and acceptable to the God who made your mouth. May we always be as merciful to others and God in Jesus has been merciful to us. Amen.