THE POWER  AND  THE 

WEAKNESS  OF  WORDS

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily for this First Tuesday in Lent  is, “The Power and the Weakness of Words.”

At least that’s the thought that hit me from today’s two readings – as I try to put a thought into words.

What are your thoughts when you think about words, and sentences, and “The Power and the Weakness of Words.”

FIRST READING

Today’s First Reading brings out the power of words.  The author – Second Isaiah – talks about the power of God’s Word  coming out of God’s mouth.

He’s saying in so many words, that God’s word is like the rain and the snow falling down from the heavens – watering the earth – making the land fruitful – bringing forth seeds and wheat – which in turn that brings forth bread to be eaten.

The farmer knows all this very well.

GOSPEL

Today’s gospel talks about the power of words – as in prayer for daily bread – as in forgiveness – as in praising God. Today’s gospel talks about the power of non-forgiveness. It can get us thinking about the refusal to forgive others and how that can boomerang back at us or on us.

Today’s gospel also talks the weakness of words – that is, when words are mere babble – that is, empty words. Babble is not prayer. Babbling at others is not conversation or communion and communication. And if we babble in our conversations with others - our words with each other become – as with God – empty nothings – non-creative sounds and mutterings.

But words that are thought out, prayers that are thought out, words that are meant to convey a message, those words have power. Compliments – or their opposite,  curses – have power, Babble – mutterings don’t.

So the thought of this homily is to become aware of our words – mean our words – think about what we are saying and realize when we are mere babble.

EXAMPLES

The title of my homily is, “The Power and the Weakness of Words.”

What are your thoughts about words?

Think! Filter! Consider! Be aware of words! Listen!

Reflect upon how listening and not listening affects others.

Reflect upon how what we say can help or hurt another.

How many times have we been talking heavy with someone, one to one, and they say, “I always wished my dad would have given me one, ‘I love you!’ while he was alive.”  Or, “I am forever grateful for our 3^rd year High School teacher who said something wonderful to me and it changed my life.”

My nephew once said to me, “Uncle Andy, something you said in a letter to me some 10 years ago – really helped me in my life. Thank you.”

Speak up! Speak out!  Something we might say, might help someone for the rest of their lives.

Shut up! Be quiet. Not saying something that we were about to say, might prevent hurting someone for the rest of their lives.

Realize that silence can be golden and silence can be like one of those kitchen sink wash cloths our mom rubbed our mouth with when we were kids.

CONCLUSION

We’re hearing from the book of Genesis in our first readings.  We heard a week or so ago that we are made in the image and likeness of God. God’s words are powerful and effective – creative.

May our good words make a difference in the lives of those around us. May our destructive words – disappear from our minds and our mouths. Amen.