Respecting the Power of Speech
- davidwperk
- Sep 3
- 5 min read
Devotional Reflection, Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Proper 17, the week of the twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.
Key phrase for reflection from today’s epistle reading:
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.
You will find the full text of today’s epistle reading at the end of this reflection.
Daily Office Lectionary readings (BCP, 982)
AM Psalm 38; PM Psalm 119:25-48
1 Kings 9:24-10:13; James 3:1-12; Mark 15:1-11
Today we celebrate the Feast of Phoebe. (See below.)
David's Reflections
Today’s epistle reading presents us with practical wisdom teaching, which seeks to answer the question of how can one bring one’s life into harmony with God's will in the world? If there is an essential, divine harmony and unity ordering the world, how can I bring my life into synch with that underlying harmony? Speculative wisdom asks different questions. If one can assume that essential harmony in God’s creation, how does one explain innocent suffering and the meaning of life (Job, Ecclesiastes)?
One key piece of wisdom teaching has to do with the power of speech. As a child I learned the ditty, "Sticks and stones can break my bones but words can never hurt me." However, experience revealed that such simply was not the case. Words DO hurt and wound. Better to say, "Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can really hurt me."
Not only does destructive speech wound and hurt others; it wounds and hurts the speaker as well. What comes out of the psyche that finds expression in speech can be wounding and corrupting to the speaker as well as to the hearer. Words have energy; like arrows they fly to their targets and find their marks. And, the bowstring bruises the shooter.
John's Gospel calls Jesus "the word" (John 1:1). In Jesus, God spoke to us God’s clearest, ultimate word about God’s nature and God’s intent for us. Yet, Jesus was not merely a spoken word; his entire life was an enfleshing of love in action. Speech versus action is one of our false dichotomies. We say things like, "I want action, not mere speech," as if speech was not an action in itself. And actions are words; our words are actions and our actions speak.
Today we remember that we act when we speak; our words are powerful actions that can heal or hurt, mend or tear, build or deconstruct. Our actions also speak; they are powerful words. Perhaps we will be more careful to guard our speech as well as our actions, since actions speak and speech acts. In so doing we love our neighbor as ourselves.
Collect of the Day, Proper 17, the twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: Graft in our hearts the love of your Name; increase in us true religion; nourish us with all goodness; and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 233)
Today we celebrate the Feast of Phoebe, deacon (New Testament, Rom. 16:1).
A Collect for Grace
Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 100)
In Times of Personal Distress
Lord Christ, you came into the world as one of us, and suffered as we do. As we go through the trials of life, help us to realize that you are with us at all times and in all things; that we have no secrets from you; and that your loving grace enfolds us for eternity. In the security of your embrace we pray. Amen. (Enriching Our Worship: 2, p. 69)
A Collect for the Presence of Christ
Lord Jesus, stay with us, for evening is at hand and the day is past; be our companion in the way, kindle our hearts, and awaken hope, that we may know you as you are revealed in Scripture and the breaking of bread. Grant this for the sake of your love. Amen. (BCP, 124)
A Collect for Mission
O God of all the nations of the earth: Remember the multitudes who have been created in your image but have not known the redeeming work of our Savior Jesus Christ; and grant that, by the prayers and labors of your holy Church, they may be brought to know and worship you as you have been revealed in your Son; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 257)
Daily Office Epistle, James 3:1-12
3:1Not 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.
Daily Prayer Offices in The Book of Common Prayer
Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, Book of Common Prayer
Noonday Prayer, p. 103, Book of Common Prayer
Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p. 109, Book of Common Prayer
Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer
Compline (Night Prayer), Page 127, Book of Common Prayer
Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer
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