Wednesday, October 30: “Blessed in Tongue Control”

Ecclesiasticus 28: 18, 19a: “Many have fallen by the edge of the sword, but not so many as have fallen because of the tongue. Blessed is the man who is protected from it.”

Is the son of Sirach speaking of escaping the ravages of other peoples’ tongues–or those of his own? Either is devastating. And the way to have a tongue emitting fresh water, rather than bitter (James 3: 11), is to maintain a thankful heart before the Lord. In such thanksgiving we are blessed.