Do we know the power of our words?

Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor.

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor

A reflection on the daily readings by Father Perry.

+ Never, as a nation, have we seen the power of words and especially the significance of who speaks them.

Everyone knows the power of words.

They know that a single word can make all the difference. A single word can build and empower, or destroy and dissect.

And so God said yes. He said the words, “Let there be light“; “Let there be a dome“; “Let the water be gathered and let the land appear“; “Let there be vegetation, plants, seeds, trees, and every kind of fruit.

Let there be, let there be, let there be!

God’s words were filled with power; they produced, and things came to be!

What a gift! What a responsibility! What power!

+ Jesus also knew the power of words.

“Be not afraid.” “Be healed.” “Trust.” “Believe.” “Repent.” “Sin no more.” “Forgive one another.”

In fact, his word was so powerful that the truth is, he could also be rendered speechless and still be filled with power.

“And they begged him that they might only touch the tassel on his cloak [wordlessly]; and as many as touch it they were healed.”

+ Do we know the power of our words? Do we know the power of our wordless actions and desires?

Do we use words with care? Do we use words with true knowledge, precision, conviction, hope, faith, and love? Do we use words with concern, compassion, true caring, and with all our heart, mind, soul and strength?

Today, indeed, is a teaching day about words and lack of words.

The word who is God, who was God, who will be God — the universal Christ, that word made flesh in the person of Jesus.

Father Perry D. Leiker is the 14th pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142. Email Father Perry at pleiker@stbernard-church.com. Follow Father Perry on Twitter: @MrDeano76.