Scripture & Reflection: Sunday 28th July & for the week ahead: Scripture:‘Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.’ (Ephesians 4.29)Reflection:Many years ago, I heard a sermon preached on this text, the crux of which has always stayed with me. The preacher suggested that before saying anything derogatory or unpleasant we should ask ourselves these three questions. Firstly, is it true? Secondly, is it kind? And thirdly, is it necessary? If what you were going to say, or to write, or to post online cannot in all honesty be met with a ‘yes’ to all three questions, just don’t say it. The person who re-tweeted the totally false statement that an illegal Muslim immigrant was responsible for the shocking events in Southport is quoted as saying they just passed it on in an idle moment, without really thinking about it. The consequences of that ‘idle moment’? Rioting, looting, attacks on mosques and police stations and on innocent fellow citizens who look ‘foreign’. And all this to ‘protect British values’. Words fail me!Humans alone have the power of speech. Words can bring people together or tear them apart. Words can uphold the truth or perpetuate a lie. Let us choose our words with care.Revd Rosemary
