If you do away with the clenched fist, the wicked word

Your light will arise in the darkness.

Fast from hurting words and say a kind word.

This is the first exhortation of Francis in this wilderness.

But how easy it is to criticise.

Rather than than advise

Or commend as we politicise.

Or encourage to the skies.

How often do we turn away.

Or ignore.

Embarrassed to mean what we say.

And make for the door.

We don’t need to be nasty

We can just be eager to get away , hasty.

……

Saying a kind word

We may not want to do it

But it is worthwhile

… ….

See Isaiah 58 : 9-14