1 Sam 18:6-9; 19:1-7 / Mark 3:7-12
It is good to be polite with our words and in our speech. It would give others a good impression and make us receptive to others.
But if making an impression with the smoothness of our words is all that is, then we may be missing out on sincerity and transparency.
No doubt, calling a spade a spade can be quite rough to hear, but when it is necessary to do so, we need to be truly sincere about it and to be transparent in our motives.
Just as using the word "sin" can be rather strong and even repulsive. There can be alternative words like "not good" or "not right" or other words that will tone down the impact.
But in the 1st reading, Jonathan talked straight to his father Saul, and he urged him not to sin against David. Jonathan pointed out that it would be a sin to shed innocent blood in killing David without cause.
Jonathan cared about his father Saul and his friend David and he was sincere in his words and transparent in his motives.
In the end, Saul was impressed by Jonathan's words and he even took an oath that he will not kill David.
Certainly it is good to be polite and courteous with our words. But we also need to be sincere with our thoughts and transparent with our motives.
And when we speak the truth with love, we will continue the mission of Jesus to bring conversion and healing for others.