Words have power
“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” As a child, did you say this when someone teased you, insulted you or called you names? As you said it, you knew it wasn’t true, right? Because the words did hurt.
Words have power. They have the power to lift up or push down, to encourage or discourage, to include or exclude. Words can inspire us to love or to hate, to work for justice or to turn a blind eye to injustice. They can fill us with hope or fear, with courage or despair.
“In the beginning was the Word,” we read in the prologue to John’s gospel, “and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1) What words did Jesus, the Word, use to teach and inspire us? Here are some examples.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:3-9)
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:43-44)
Asked to name the greatest commandment, Jesus said, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:28b-31)
At the conclusion of the story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus said, “Who do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” [The lawyer] said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:36-37)
In the parable of the Last Judgment, Jesus said, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:37-40)
Elections are about far more than policy. We elect leaders who will speak to us and for us. Their words have power. As you prepare to vote, listen to the words the candidates use. Do their words inspire hope or fear? Do they respect the dignity of every human being? Do they motivate you to act in positive or negative ways? Do they reflect your values as a person of faith? Which candidates inspire you to act with mercy and justice? Who portrays a stranger as a neighbor instead of an enemy? Who invites you to envision a better and more compassionate world?
