The Power of Life and Death

Reverend Tracey L. Anderson-Tellado
Moderator-Elect
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Southwest

“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” - Ephesians 4:29-30
 
In an essay entitled “Words on Fire” Debbie Thomas writes, “We live in a word where words have become toxic, where language threatens to divide and destroy us. The troubles of our day are global, civilizational, and catastrophic. If we don’t learn the art of speaking across the borders that separate us, we will burn ourselves to ash.” Indeed, it seems as if that is exactly what is happening in this incendiary season. We are living in the middle of police brutality, protests for racial justice, and an ongoing  pandemic, and more often than not, instead of the language of facts and solutions, we hear language which distorts facts, dismisses science, deflects blame, denies the humanity of the marginalized and demeans those attempting to stay safe through mask wearing and social distancing. Insults and accusations are traded ad nausea and genuinely substantive communication is in short supply.

On the 6th of January we all witnessed with appalling clarity the ability of toxic dialogue across social media platforms coupled with a vitriolic speech by the president to incite nothing short of an insurrection at our nation’s capital. Words were wielded with the deadly accuracy of weapons of mass destruction; all in an effort to thwart the certification of the next duly elected president and vice-president. These words of hate and delusion led directly to the death of five people. Even now more words are being bandied about like a shuttlecock in a game of badminton. Words intended to rewrite the facts, and justify the crimes committed.

Remember the childhood rhyme “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me?” Well, I would offer that I find that to be untrue. Words do hurt. Words can be incredibly painful. I remember ugly words that were said to me decades ago that are painful to this day; so don’t tell me that words don’t hurt. Family, we as Christians are called upon to speak differently. We are called upon to empower and embrace our brothers and sisters, not to eviscerate them. May the Holy Spirit continue to move in us as we answer that call. Let us pray: Holy and loving Creator God, Your word tells us that “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” (Proverbs 25:11) Help us Lord, to speak fitly, to speak truthfully, and above all to speak with love. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Scripture Readings
Monday- Ephesians 4
Tuesday- Proverbs 18
Wednesday- James 3
Thursday- Proverbs 25
Friday - Proverbs 11
Saturday -  Colossians 4:1-6