Yesterday, we reflected on the power of Jesus’ words. We know that his words had a lasting effect on people, so much so that many people - after hearing him - followed him.
Our words have power, too. Once uttered, they take on a life of their own. Some words which are encouraging and loving scorch themselves into our hearts
forever. But the opposite is true too: harsh and unloving words can also scorch themselves into our hearts and hurt us for a long time.
I was speaking to a woman recently who told me that when she and her siblings were young, they experienced harsh words from their mother. She said that her mother often was critical and that they felt nothing was ever good enough. “We felt judged,” she said. “I often wondered why my mom said
mean-spirited and hurtful things.” She said she never remembered her mom apologising for what she said. Years later, she told me, she and her siblings asked her mom why she often said painful things to them. She told how her mom responded, “But I never meant what I said”. She wondered: “If my mom did not mean these things, why did she say them? Because they have hurt for a long time.”
It would be helpful to reflect on how our
words remain with others. What kind of words do we use when we speak to others? Words that heal or harm? Console or upset? Unite or divide? Words of compassion or condemnation? Judgement or to set free? Words that bring joy and encouragement or ones that wound?
If you look at your own life, what words do you need to speak now? What words might you have spoken that you regret? Ask the Lord to give you the grace to intentionally
speak loving words to others this week.
Reflections by Russell Pollitt SJ
