It would be interesting if at the start of the day, we use a voice recording device and we record what we say throughout the day.
And at the end of the day, when we play back the recording, what will be our reaction to the words that came out of our mouths?
Will we be proud that what we said were kind and pleasant?
Or will we be embarrassed and frown at the rough and nasty words that came out of our mouths?
To hear our own words and to feel the tone and the emotions of those words can reveal something to us about ourselves.
The words that come out of our mouths are the expressions of what is stored in our hearts.
May the spiritual disciplines of Lent, which is prayer, fasting and alms giving cleanse our hearts so that Jesus can fill our hearts with compassion and kindness.
May our hearts be healed of the urge to judge others and to resist the temptation to criticise and condemn others.
May we speak words of love and peace and be the Good News to others.