Now admit it when you first read the title of today’s Sermon how many though Miley Cyrus?
Thank goodness it means so much more. The human word has meaning and definition but until a voice lifts it, it does not have texture or tone.
So much of our history has been changed by the tongue, for better and for worse. On the anniversary of 9/11 we remember the power of the tongue speaking hate. Yet at the same time we remember the same day the tongue of our Prime Minister and Minister of Transportation say in a quiet but strong voice “We will not be afraid. We will offer support and comfort to our friends and neighbours who were still flying a safe haven." A place opened freely by so many ordinary Canadians to the shocked and scared brothers and sisters from the US. Operation Yellow Ribbon was the tongue used at its best.
Without the wise word of the great teachers of Classical Greece much of what we believe in Democracy and freedom of rights would simply not exist. How fitting at the time of our National Election that we reflect on the great privilege we believe in the right to vote as it has come down from those early teachings.
It is only fitting that Karen remembered those who teach and what they give to us all. Knowledge, strength and wisdom. To this day our Sunday school teachers carry on the tradition of our churches great teachers and of course our Lord Jesus Christ the first teacher of our Church.
What we often forget in the day and age of twitter and the politics of disparagement is that the use of the tongue is not only a right but a great responsibly. We oft hear the phrase” Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” But is it true? Sadly the wounds from words carry far more deeply than sticks or stones.
Proverbs offers sage advice.
Proverbs 21:23
He who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles.
The responsibility however extend beyond not saying the wrong thing but trying to say the right thing.
Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
The power of the Word takes flight when given wings by the masterful tongue. Let us give thanks for those so blessed.
Noral R.