One of my favorite things is to go to the Jersey shore for my vacation. A wonderful friend offers her home to me, and I usually stay for a week with one or two friends. I have not been able to go for several years due to commitments, but oh, how I miss it.
I love the sound of the waves, the sea, and all the excitement of sitting on the beach. I could sit and listen to the roar of the waves for hours. Besides the beautiful sight and sound of the shore, I was reminded of how powerful the water was.
This led me to reflect on other things that are very powerful. I received an email recently that perhaps could have been written differently, which reminded me, words are powerful too. They can tear down or build up a person or group of people. Do I use my words carefully? Do they inspire people or disturb them?
Some ordinary people who had great opportunities to use words for good were the Prophets. The words of Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, Micah, Ezekiel, and Jesus were immensely powerful. The prophets could have been viewed as condemning people, but they were crying out to help the people become aware of the way they were living. The prophets spoke of being faithful to God, of loving without measure, of being steadfast in adversity and more aware of daily life. The prophet’s words, whether from 2,000 years ago, or now, are challenging. There will always be an element of judgement in their speech, but it will be coupled with compassion, you can’t have one without the other.
So, what about us? How and what words do we speak? Do we encourage people or are we harsh and condemning? Am I capable of taming my tongue? (James chapter 3 questions that.) Do we say things that later we are sorry about? Why is it so easy to jump on the band wagon of hate, cruel words, and actions instead of encouraging people who may need the extra TLC? Are we capable of seeing an unjust situation and dealing with it in a compassionate way?
The power of water and the power of words, I think at times it is easier to deal with the power of water. Once, I remember saying to a wise sister that I just loved creation. Her response to me was, “that is easy, its loving people that is the challenge.” She was so right, especially when we speak of how we treat one another. Spend some time this week thinking about the power of words. Where do you see yourself on the spectrum? Can you tame your tongue? Power lies within us; how do you wield the power of your words?
Till next week,
Sister Theresita
PS, Please pray for me and a dear friend who will be conducting a retreat August 5-10. As our Foundress is known to have said “May my voice (words) be an echo of God’s voice (words).” Thank you for your prayers.
