ONLY SPEAK WHEN IT IS NECESSARY*

Most times in our lives, we get into trouble when we speak and not when we are quiet. People judge us based on what we say, rather than what we did not. This is because people are likely to misunderstand or misinterpreted your words. 

In the first reading of today, St James tells us that if we want to live a good and perfect life, we must learn to control our tongues. Most times, it is what we say that betray us. The tongue as we know, is one of the smallest parts of the human body, but it can do much damage than the rest parts. 
The tongue has led to the destruction of many people, it has led to broken homes and families, divorce, hatred, discord, enmity, quarrelling and fighting, and even death. The tongue can set fire on a whole city if not controlled. It is therefore very important that we should learn how to control the things we say to one another, or better still, be quiet when we are not sure of presenting our thoughts well. 

Anyone who is not able to control his/her tongue cannot be trusted.
One could imagine while Jesus always called on Peter, James and John. It was probably because they knew how to control what they said. In some occasions in the scriptures just as in the gospel reading of today, Jesus told his apostles and other people not to mention what they saw and heard. As in the case of the Transfiguration today, yhey probably may not have mentioned it to the other Apostles until after the resurrection as Jesus commanded them. 

It is therefore very important that before we speak, we ask ourselves if what we are about to say is *TRUE*, *IMPORTANT*, *NECESSARY* and *BENEFICIAL* to the other person. If not, it is better to keep quiet than speak rubbish that will dent the image of others and cause rancour. 

*Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP*