January 17, 2021

2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Power of Our Words

Msgr. Thomas Gervasio

Many common sayings suggest that words are unimportant and that deeds are what really matter. We say, “Actions speak louder than words” or “He’s all talk and no action.” Yet I am certain we can all recall words that we would desperately want to reclaim—words hurled in anger, shared in gossip, a lie or even a careless joke that hurt someone. We can think of words we would love to have the chance to speak—an apology to lost friends, words of gratitude, forgiveness, and love to family and friends.

Actions are important but so are words. Sometimes, silence is best, but there are times when we need to speak—when our loved ones are attacked or ridiculed, when our religion is slandered, or when we witness acts of injustice. Words at such times are important.

The power of words is seen in today’s Gospel. John the Baptist catches sight of Jesus and announces: “Look! There is the Lamb of God!” His words are so powerful that two disciples leave him and begin to follow Jesus. Andrew was one of those disciples. The first thing he does after meeting Our Lord is to seek out his brother, Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah!” His words move Simon to leave everything behind to follow Jesus.

This Gospel scene points to our mission—like the Baptist—to point out Christ, and like Andrew, to draw people to him. Our faith is a treasure to be shared; always personal but never private!

Giving Christian witness by our word is the great challenge and duty of priests, deacons, catechists, but it is also the duty of all the baptized. Parents are duty-bound to speak to their children about God. They are the “first teachers” of their children in the way of faith. Think of how different our Church, our community would be if we spoke about how our experience of the Mass is life-giving.
Think of how we can help others if we spoke about the consolation of confession, the comfort of the sacrament of the sick, and the beauty and dignity of marriage and the priesthood.

It is not always a matter of sharing this with strangers. Our mission can be right at home: a friend or relative struggling with addiction, needs to hear us say, “We love you and let’s get you to the help you need.” A couple in a hurting marriage needs someone to listen and to hear that healing and a new beginning is possible. A lonely teen and a struggling parent need to hear us say, “Faith, the sacraments, are what sustain me in life.

Andrew brought Peter to Christ. We need this apostolic spirit. Invite someone to come to Mass with you or ask if they are following our livestreaming. Social media is an especially powerful tool. We so often use it to send photos of our dining experience or as a vehicle to vent our anger or even to insult and attack others. I heard it said, “Taste your words before you spit them out!”

No one would deny that our nation is in great need of unity and healing. What better way to bring this about than by reflecting on the way we speak to one another? Words are important so let’s give a little extra thought to our words before we speak so that they will be life-giving and helpful. Like the Baptist and the apostle, let our words help draw others to all that is good, indeed to Jesus who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.