Although it is not true that the tongue is the strongest muscle in the body, it could be argued that it is one of the most versatile. It is essential for jump-starting the digestive process by serving as a guide. It keeps food between the teeth until it is chewed or masticated and sent on its merry way. Here the tongue is a capable manager.
The tongue is an erotic organ. A French proverb goes "Lovers can live on kisses and cool water." The joint dance of lips and tongues leads to an endorphic high. Kissing, according to health experts, is healthy too; passionate kissing burns 6.4 calories per minute and produces lots of saliva which helps combat plaque. Thank you, Mr. Tongue, for serving as a go-between, looking after my best interests.
In the Bible (James 3: 5-6), we read: "So the tongue is a little member and boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! And the tongue is a fire." How easy it is for us to set blazes here and there by criticizing our spouse or gossiping about our neighbor.
In the Benedictine monastic tradition, there is a spiritual practice called keeping custody of the tongue. It is a type of self-care and a path toward goodness. The idea is to consciously pay attention to what you say at all times. One way to begin is to say this prayer in the morning: