Tuesday, November 6, 2018

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B - November 4, 2018

31stSunday in Ordinary Time 
Cycle B
November 4, 2018     9:30 and 11:15am 
Saint Mary Parish, Pylesville 

Rabbi Herschel 


I want to start my reflections today with a brief quote from a Jewish rabbi named Abraham Joshua Herschel.

Rabbi Herschel was a prominent scholar in our American Jewish community. He was an author, a philosopher and a theologian and he died in 1972. 

I am quoting just three short sentences from him. Rabbi Herschel said: “Speech has power. Words do not fade. What starts out as a sound, ends in a deed.”

I want to repeat this so we can just allow it to sink in. “Speech has power. Words do not fade. What starts out as a sound, ends in a deed.”

This morning I want to reflect with you about the words that we use. And, by the way, how appropriate to quote a leader of the Jewish people who have been victimized by words and then by actions over the centuries and were just victimized again last week in Pittsburg.

Our Words

Our words are powerful. 

They have an effect on us. To some extent, they form who we become as persons.

Our words also have an effect on others. They may lead others to feel good or to feel lousy about themselves, to become compassionate or to become hateful.

And because of this, our words have an effect on our relationship with God. Just think of the two great commandments of love that we hear in today’s gospel. 

A very important way that we show our love for God is by the way we treat one another. And our words play a crucial role in the way we treat others. 

So, I’ve got five, quick, positive rules for the kinds of words we are to say, and also corresponding negatives for the kinds of words we are to avoid. I hope they will be helpful. 

Five Rules on Words 


Number 1. Use words that are respecting and not belittling.

Respect others as persons and if possible, affirm their good qualities. Don’t belittle others and make them appear as no good.

Number 2. Use words that are unitive and not divisive.

Emphasize the things that you share in common with others and that unite you. Don’t divide and treat others as if there is no common ground between you and them. 

Number 3. Use words that are reconciling and not distancing. 

Ask for forgiveness or be forgiving, or at least speak in a way that leaves the door open to that. Don’t distance yourself from others especially by holding yourself as absolutely right and them as absolutely wrong.

Number 4. Use words that are protecting and not bullying.

Be protective of others who are vulnerable. Don’t bully others by taking advantage of their weakness or lesser position.
                                                                                               
Number 5. Use words that are persuasive and not coercive.

Treat others as reasonable persons and try to respectfully persuade them about whatever the issue is. Don’t try to coerce others into seeing or doing things your way.

Conclusion


I see these as five basic and important rules on our use of words.

When we use words that are respecting, unitive, reconciling, protecting, and persuasive – when we use words like these, we are fulfilling Jesus’ commandment about love in today’s gospel. We are doing that without even using the word love.

But when we use words that are belittling, divisive, distancing, bullying, and coercive – when we use words like these, we are not following the way of Jesus. We are injuring others at least to some degree. 

So, the words we speak toothers – maybe toyour husband or wife, your parents or children, toour classmates or co-workers, our neighbors or friends – these words can have helpful or harmful effects on them.

And the words we speak aboutothers – maybe aboutindividuals we know or about entire groups who are different from us in some way – these words can also be constructive or destructive

So, let’s be an example of how to speak and what words to use and not use. Then we and our words will help bring about the kingdom of God on this earth and make a positive contribution to our world.