"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."  James 3:9-10

I am intrigued by the way that James writes about the difficulties of the ‘taming of the tongue’. He gives a lot of attention to the impact that words have on others and at one point concludes that the tongue ‘is a restless evil, full of deadly poison’. 

These past weeks there has been a range of public matters that have led to polarising and damaging statements being made about others. Social cohesion, at several levels, is at risk.  

There have been terrible acts of vandalism and violence directed at particular communities. These actions flow from views held about the conflicts in the Middle East, expectations of what political leaders are responsible for (or not), and the fears many hold as to the impact of changes in global political leadership. 

Such painful polarisation is a continuing reality as we come to Australia Day. This day, first celebrated in 1938, from the beginning has been a source of great pain for Australia’s First Peoples. How is it that the impact of colonisation and dispossession on the Aboriginal community can be celebrated?  

While we cannot dictate the opinions individuals hold, we can work to ensure that differences in perspective are not personally directed or used vindictively. James offers some hope and directions at the end of chapter 3 when he affirms the ‘wisdom from heaven’ and invites us to ‘sow in peace’. 

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 

Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. James 3:17-18

Rev John Gilmore 

NCCA President