"Words! Words! Words!" cried Hamlet. We are awash with words. Are not our waking hours flooded with torrents of endless talk? Words tumble all around us, and from us, hour after hour. The air is full of noises. Some words come to us filled with light, wisdom and comfort. They heal the spirit, save us from folly, and sow fresh seeds of goodness in our fickle hearts. Sincere words, loving words, forgiving words, inspiring words can bring zest and happiness to all our days even amid darkness, doubt and difficulty. Words can give life.
In sorrow and in joy we know the power of words. Words can kill. Ideals and hopes can perish and the heart can grow chill, but it is happily true that words fitly spoken can be a source of wisdom deep as the ocean and fresh as any flowing stream.
In our morning prayer we do well to attend to the age old petition "Thou O Lord will open my lips . . . and my mouth shall declare your praise." At moments of irritation, of jealousy, or of deep hurt we could adapt our plea. ". . . Thou O Lord, will close my lips and my silence will revere your name. We reflect that the giver of every good gift has given to us two ears but one mouth. A life long parable to speak to us much wisdom. We pray for the listening ear and the seeing eye. St James is a forceful teacher. His words do not easily pass from memory. ". . . Think how a large forest can be set on fire by a tiny flame And the tongue is like a fire words of thanksgiving and of cursing can come from the same mouth. No spring of water pours out sweet and bitter from one single source Remembered wisdom calls to us from Scripture In silence and ii, hope shall be your strength . .
Excellent seminars and courses have long been offered to develop the art of public relations and of impressive speech. Only recently has help been offered to encourage the other half of language, which is listening. A vital component of being a good conversationalist as of being an efficient teacher is the gentle art of true hearing. It is not enough just to listen. We listen, not only with the ears but with the heart. As the sound film of memory rolls in the mind we can realise that this is profoundly true. The first duty of one who loves is to listen. True prayer is, in the wondrous silence of love, listening to God. "Speak Lord, your servant is listening.
I will hear what the Lord God has to say . . ." As still waters react to the slightest breeze so will the spirit, ready in a holy silence, be aware, as was Elijah, of the gentle call of God.
Most effective advice is given concisely by St Paul. ". . . Do not use harmful words in talking. Use only helpful words . . . the kind that build up and provide what is needed so that what you say will do good to those who hear you. And do not make God's Spirit sad As St John Fisher said on Tower Hill "Here be wisdom to last me till life's end." Another great Martyr, Ignatius of Antioch, also on his way to death (107AD), wrote for us in a final letter ".
If we reflect deeply on the words of Jesus we will understand His silences. Then our words will have the force of action and our silences will have the power of speech .
The ever fascinating Book of Proverbs combines a gentle humour with abiding truth.
Kind words are like honey, sweet to the taste and good for the health we make our plans, but God has the last word.