¹Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. ²For 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. ³If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. ⁴Or 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. ⁵So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.

How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! ⁶And 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. ⁷For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, ⁸but no one can tame the tongue-a restless evil, full of deadly poison. ⁹With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. ¹⁰From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. ¹¹Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? ¹²Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.

• Light a candle to remember Christ’s presence with you.
• Sit five to fifteen minutes in silent meditation paying close attention to the deep breath.
• Let go of thoughts and commitments for this time in prayer.  Set them aside, write them down if needed so that you may be as fully present as you can be.
• Allow the breath to reach all the extremities of your body including your tongue.
• Allow the breath to cool you tongue.
• Consider the words that have rolled over your tongue in the past few days.
• What blessings have been spoken for God?
• As you remember these blessings, notice if you feel lightness or heaviness; freedom or tension.
• Do you feel in right relationship with God?
• Allow your thoughts to go back to your tongue.
• Consider the words that have rolled over your tongue in the past few days.
• What curses have been spoken against those made in the likeness of God?
• As you remember these curses, notice if you feel lightness or heaviness; freedom or tension
• Do you feel in right relationship with God?
• What to you need to let go or what do you need to embrace to move toward right relationship with God?
• Do you hear a call to action from God?
• Give thanks to God for this time in prayer and for any new insights you have received.
• Share as you feel led in the reply box below.