The first thing out of our mouths

Many times when people get together, once they get past the usual words of greeting, the first thing out of their mouths is not always the most edifying thing to say: forgettable small talk, perfunctory health queries, and sometimes even a renewed salvo in a long-running feud.

In an epistle offered for today in the United States (1 Corinthians 1:3-9), the first words out of St. Paul’s mouth – after the usual greeting and blessing – is an expression of thanksgiving.

I give thanks to God always for you...

How much better might our own lives and relationships be if the first thing out of our mouths when we meet each other would also be words of thanksgiving.

By the way, dear readers...

I give thanks to God always for you...