The Truth of the Word

“If we cherish the Word of God, then we should reverence all words, knowing their power to hurt or heal.” (Fr. Timothy Radcliffe OP from “What is the Point of Being a Christian)

Words are important for human beings. We convey thoughts and desires through the use of words and while this in not the only manner in which we convey thoughts and feelings it is powerful because of how a words or phrase can take on such power in our lives and the lives of others. But it is also in finding the “right word” we become better able to seek the good in others and we enter into greater and deeper relationships.
We can be careless with words or intentionally deceitful with our words in a variety of ways. One of the most common sins I hear from young people in the Sacrament of Reconciliation is telling lies to their parents, friends and teachers. This sin seems to disappear from the confessional when people get older and it is not because they no longer lie but because they have become comfortable with lies and thus see them as normal, natural and necessary to get through the day.
Because, as we see in the quote above, words have power, then to cherish and hold to the truthfulness of words as an important way to seek God becomes life-giving and something to celebrate and not to be afraid of entering into conversations of truth.

“The moment that religious people start to talk about truth, then people become nervous. This is understandable. All over the world violence is associated with different faiths quarreling about the truth.”(Fr. Timothy Radcliffe OP)

If we believe truth is discovered in the Word of God, in a deep and intimate conversation with God, then our words need to reflect God’s Word in the life of Jesus Christ. They must at times be words of gentleness and healing and at other times words of steel and strength calling for the better and the conversion of the other in life. Each parent and child knows this experience which is why the image of the Father is such a powerful expression of God’s presence daily in our lives. Knowing and discerning the time and place is a discovering of the life of the other and how in relationship finds its unity in love. It is trying to enter into a conversation with the eyes of the other as we are reminded, “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”” (1 Sam 16:7)

“(W)e believe that the truth may be sought, patiently and with humility. If not then we shall be stuck in our differences.” (Fr. Timothy Radcliffe OP)

How do we learn the patience and humility necessary to hear the other in our lives. Even within families these differences can begin to gnaw away at the trust we have for one another. This coming week at Thanksgiving we are often warned to not talk about politics or religion…but if we are truly living a life of faith we can and should express our faith not simply in the words we speak but the words we live and the words we hear listening with an open heart to find God’s presence even when we may disagree. To be stuck in our differences is to be isolated from love.

“For Augustine, telling the truth to a stranger is part of building the human community constructing the Kingdom.” (Fr. Timothy Radcliffe OP)

To welcome the stranger. Are we happy when we see the stranger sitting in our place in the pews? The truth of our faith is simply…welcome to our home. In the days and weeks to come we will be challenged to speak the truth of welcome and the call to come and know our Lord Jesus with greater love. Telling the truth to the stranger is to hear God’s word…”Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Lk 12:32)…and to do his work “’Well done, good and faithful servant!…Come and share your master’s happiness!’” (Mt 25:23)

God bless
Fr. Mark


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.