“May my words praise You, O Lord.
May they be seasoned with the wisdom of Your Spirit.
May they comfort the sorrowful,
strengthen the wavering,
and bring light to those who seek understanding.
Guard my tongue from falsehood and pride,
and let my speech be a vessel of Your peace.
Through Your grace, may every word I speak
reflect the truth and charity of Christ our Lord. Amen.”
–Hildegard of Bingen (1098–1179)
Source: Hildegard of Bingen, Orationes, in Patrologia Latina, vol. 197, ed. J.‑P. Migne (Paris, 1855), 1234.
Reflection: Where might God be inviting me to let my speech become more of a “vessel of peace” in my academic or professional life?