IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD, John1:1

Words matter. Words have power.

How many of you remember the childhood chant, "Sticks and stones can break my bones but names will never hurt me." Well, that's not true! I still remember how a boy used to call me "gorilla" in first grade because I had hairy arms!

How often do we say something hurtful to our loved ones that sets the tone for the entire day? Then, we try to take it back after we have hurt someone we truly love. Words can either build a person up or tear them apart.

Words have meaning.

I recently went to the funeral Mass of a lovely woman who had died after a long fight with cancer. She was a wife, mother, grandmother, and faithful member or our Church. Father chose not to speak directly about those roles but about her role as a teacher and how she guided and taught hundreds of children throughout her career. He stressed how she taught the children their alphabet and how they learned to put the letters into words and words into sentences. The children were then able to write stories about their own lives.

Father asked us what words we would use to write our own stories. Do our actions support the positive words we might use to describe our selves or do we live a life of lies? We want to believe that we are kind. generous, and merciful, but are we really all that we say we are???

Words have lasting consequences.

I recently spoke to a woman who used her words to tell me a remarkable story. At age seventeen, her daughter came to her and told her that she was pregnant. She was a very shy girl, had never dated, and her coach took advantage of her. The daughter was so afraid of what her mom would say. But the mother used her words and her faith to lift up and sustain her daughter. This lovely lady told me that she prayed and prayed about what words she should use to help her daughter. My friend really believes that she heard God speak to her heart and tell her that this baby and her daughter would be destined for great things.

The mom went to her daughter and told her that she would quit her own job, take care of the baby for four years, and support her daughter while she went to college to pursue a degree in Nursing. Her daughter had a baby girl, went to college, graduated Cum Laude, and went on to Graduate School. My friend watched the little girl and helped her daughter in every way possible. God's words to my friend have come to fruition because the young mom is now the President of a College and her baby daughter is now in Medical School. Who knows what wonderful things she will accomplish and the lives she will save as a Doctor?

Think about what would have happened if the mother had used hurtful, accusatory words to attack her daughter when she first came to her to tell her that she was pregnant. How different the outcome might have been.

This brings me back to the importance of words and how they shape our lives. How do our words shape our attitudes? Can we strike down pride and replace it with humility? Can we eliminate selfishness and replace it with generosity; addiction with self-control; envy with gratitude? How can we embrace these blessed words and make them a part of our lives?

Dan and I have been watching THE CHOSEN during Lent and this wonderful series about the public ministry of Christ has helped us have a better understanding of Christ's teachings and ministry. This series has made Christ's words come alive for us. It is a beautiful series and I highly recommend that you watch it. (YOU TUBE or AMAZON PRIME).

Christ is the WORD OF THE BLESSED TRINITY! His words defined every aspect of His life!

Think about the Scripture verse, "AND THE WORD BECAME FLESH AND MADE HIS DWELLING AMONG US." John 1:14. Those are such powerful words; to think that Christ, the Almighty One, chooses to make His dwelling in us! We should bow down in humility and love at this truth! Let us make this Holy Week a special time of words of prayer and thanksgiving to the Almighty WORD who sacrificed everything for each one of us.

"Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the WORD and my soul shall be healed." From the Communion prayers of the Holy Mass.

Happy Holy Week,

Judy