1 Thess 2:1-6 / Matthew 23:23-26
To speak politely and gently is certainly a good trait and it is an expression of the character and the attitude of the person.
It is certainly very pleasant to talk with such a person and we would be open to the opinions and suggestions of that person.
On the other hand, a person who is frank and straight-forward and who calls a spade a spade may be too much for our liking.
But as St. Paul said to the Thessalonians in the 1st reading, "You know very well, and we can swear it before God, that never at any time have our speeches been simply flattery, or a cover for trying to get money, nor have we ever looked for any special honour from men ... "
What St. Paul is saying is that he may have sounded frank and straight-forward and his words may not be too pleasing to the ears, but he is sincere and that he has no ulterior motives or vested interests or deception.
What he preached to them was the Good News and that in itself was good enough. There is no need to sugar-coat the message or to flatter the listeners in order for them to accept it.
And like what Jesus said in the gospel, the power of the Good News will cleanse the inside of the cup and dish.
Our hearts must be cleansed by the Good News and be filled with its message, and from the bounty of our hearts we will speak.
And we will not have to worry about what to say or how to say it. When our hearts are filled with the Good News, the Holy Spirit will put the words into our mouths.