Words, kisses and swords
In an introduction to the book Don’t Speak Ill of Others, by Fr Emiliano Antenucci, Pope Francis wrote: “When we speak ill of others, we sully the image of God that is in each person. .The correct use of words is important. Words can be kisses, caresses, medicine, but they also can be knives, swords or bullets. closed walls or open windows.”
He quoted St Augustine: “If you keep silent, keep silent by love; if you speak, speak by love” and St Teresa of Calcutta: “The fruit of silence is prayer; the fruit of prayer is faith; the fruit of faith is love; the fruit of love is service; the fruit of service is peace.”