October 14, 2001

Warring Words

I was celebrating the 11:30 Spanish Mass last Sunday (a special outdoor celebration of Nuestro Señor de los Milagros [Our Lord of the Miracles]) when our military attacked strongholds in Afghanistan. So it wasn't until a few hours later when I walked the school’s Craft Fair that I learned of the attacked. I was struck most by the gentle concern of our parishioners for the innocent people that would be affected by the military action.

No one suggested that the people who were responsible for the terrorist attacks on the United States should go without justice. But it seems that our recent encounter with violence has made many people very sensitive to the effects of violence of any kind. There seems to be a collective desire to make violence of all kinds go away, especially when it affects innocent people.

So, let's do something about it. While it’s hard to see how we might have an effect on the violence of of the wider world, we can concentrate on our own circles of influence.

First, we can notice where there is violence in our own experience. Some violence invades our homes (and our children) through television and some video games. Some violence comes through common speech.

Though the children’s rhyme says, “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never harm them,” we know that words can create a lasting hurt.

Constant criticism, gossip, nagging and teasing can do real violence in the family, in the workplace, in the neighborhood. Though people have legitimate differences, it’s not necessary to express these in harsh and intolerant ways. (Some radio talk shows seem to make a gross art out of insulting callers and guests with warring words.) This is not how it is to be with the followers of Jesus. We can continue to struggle to understand how to live in God’s reign without being demeaning or cruel, petty or argumentative.

Here’s an image that might help us be alert to the violent words in our lives: Just as the military has radar to see where an enemy threat might be coming, let us ask God to create in us a “radar” that might spot a harsh or violent word that might be coming out of us. Then, let us ask the Lord to lead us away from this kind of talk and to go out of our way to be bringers of peace and understanding. Not easy. But essential.

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For the Record..

See Father's Ralph's first spoken greeting to the community at St. Brigid..

Italian Mass
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Haitian Mass
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