I love words. I love stringing them together to express an idea or to describe an emotion. I love words put together as an inspiring poem or as a compelling story. I love them even more when words are put into a melody and become a beautiful song. Words can inspire and move me. They can move me to tears or send me into fits of laughter. Words can hurt me in ways that no physical object can. And words can heal me and make me whole like no medicine ever can.
Words can be cheap. I can say words without really meaning them just to curry favor or to avoid fault or to get what I want for the moment. But words are really life. They express what is deepest and most authentic within me. With words, I can tell others of my love for them. With words, I can tell my loved ones of my commitment to them. With words, I can communicate and create community with people. Through words, I am able to build and nurture meaningful relationships.
Words are very powerful. They express the ideas churning in my mind. When spoken, words become the template of potential reality. The spoken word, when backed by action, bespeaks of physical reality. Idea becomes word. And word becomes reality. This is how it is even in the ultimate reality of things. God is love. Out of love, God speaks the Word and the Son is. In their love for each other, the Spirit is. This is the Trinity whom we celebrate this weekend. The God of Love and Creation says the words: “Let there be light” and light there is.
I shall treasure my words and will not speak them out carelessly, or even less to hurt or destroy others. I will hold my tongue and not say words in anger or hatred or judgement. I will make my “Yes” mean “Yes” and my “No” mean “No”.
You are my inheritance, O Lord.
Jesus said to his disciples:
“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors,
Do not take a false oath,
but make good to the Lord all that you vow.
But I say to you, do not swear at all;
not by heaven, for it is God’s throne;
nor by the earth, for it is his footstool;
nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
Do not swear by your head,
for you cannot make a single hair white or black.
Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’
Anything more is from the Evil One.”
Matthew 5:33-37