As I have turned from inward toward outward during Advent (since I have never been an Advent sort of person), I have been thinking about how each of us interacts with others. If we call this the “Christmas season” rather than Advent, then we consider the themes of peace and joy with perhaps a pinch of anticipation tossed in.
One form of peace enters our experience through how we treat others, how others treat us, and how we observe interactions of others at some distance.
I listened recently to an interview with a kindergarten teacher on what it’s like to be one. She said at one point, “Kindergarteners are so cute. They say whatever comes into their minds.”
And I thought about the general discourse in society today. Especially where I hear some people (who have an especially amplified voice thanks to the insidious spread of social media) who became angry feeling they were forced into civilized discourse rather than being able to say whatever comes to mind.
But what is cute in 5-year-olds sounds much differently when it comes from adults. With maturity comes the ability to speak with a civil tongue. Especially for those who claim to be following Jesus.
Let us consider the teaching of James, the brother of Jesus, an early leader of “The Way,” and a profound wisdom teacher.
When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
What is James telling us at the end of his analysis? What we say is a reflection of the status of our hearts. What was Jesus’s top concern—the status of our hearts. And where should our hearts be resting? Upon God. Which then has the effect upon us of loving other humans.
So, we tie the inner and the outer together. As we consider the themes of peace and joy during this season (and the year following), let us consider how we use our “tongues,” whether vocally or through our fingers on a keyboard. Let us put a metaphorical bit in our mouth.
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