27 February 2022

The kiln tests the potter’s vessels;
so the test of a person is in his conversation.
Its fruit discloses the cultivation of a tree;
so a person’s speech discloses the cultivation of his mind.
Do not praise anyone before he speaks,
for this is the way people are tested.

From Ecclesiasticus 27:5-8, NRSV

Today we hear some words from the sage Ben Sirach. His writings contain many wise proverbs and sayings and in today’s reading he uses some interesting imagery to emphasise the importance of how we speak. He warns against being impressed by anyone until you have heard them speak. For Ben Sirach, a person’s conversation gave an indication of the “cultivation” of their mind and should be the means by which they are tested. In today’s gospel, we also hear Jesus speaking about the importance of our words – “a man’s words flow out of what fills his heart.”

• • What do you think may have led Ben Sirach to give this advice?
  • Does the advice given by Ben Sirach hold good for us today?

Try to pay attention to what is said to you today and consider the ways in which you use words also.