Oblates of St. Francis de Sales

New DeSales World Newsletter - Summer Edition

3RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (January 21, 2007)

Suggested Emphasis

"This Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing."

Salesian Perspective

Words are like atoms. They can heal. They can energize. They can extend and improve the quality of life.

Words can also wound. They can divide. They can poison. They can destroy.

St. Francis de Sales understood that our words - what we say, how we say it - have a very powerful impact on others. He offers the following advice: "Let your language be mild, open, sincere, frank unaffected and honest." Integrity, justice and fairness should be hallmarks of our speech. Don't dance around the issue. Speak directly from the heart. Don't measure words to the point at which nothing is communicated. Still, being honest does not require us to be brutal or to "pile on" by saying all that is true at a particular moment. When in doubt, Francis tells us: "It is never appropriate to say something against the truth."

"Never give others the occasion to believe that something evil is being spoken of them." When speaking in public, be as inclusive as possible. When needing to speak in private, do so with sensitivity and discretion. Never use words in ways that actually injure another, or would cause others to think you are injuring them.

"Nothing is ever gained by harshness." No matter how noble or righteous our values, we gain nothing by promoting them in words that are brutal or ham-handed.

"Wisdom consists of knowing how and when to speak, and when and where to keep silent." In some cases, actions speak much more loudly - and more effectively - than words.

"Fidelity, plainness and sincerity of speech are assuredly a great ornament of a Christian life." When we make it a habit to speak of the good that we need to pursue, of the evil we need to confront with kindness and compassion, is it any wonder that others experience healing, freedom, encouragement, life and love?

There is no doubt how God uses words. God's Word, as embodied in Jesus, "brings glad tidings to the poor, proclaims liberty to captives, offers sight to the blind, frees the oppressed and proclaims a time of favor from the Lord."

In short, God's Word heals, liberates, encourages and raises others up. When we speak, what do our words do?

Rev. Michael S. Murray, OSFS, is the Executive Director of the De Sales Spirituality Center.