3/2/2025 - 8th Sunday in Ordinary TIme

The Power of Our Words

In today’s Gospel from Luke 6:39-45, we are awakened to the profound truth about the source of our words and the weight they carry. Jesus, in His compassionate yet challenging manner, invites us to reflect on our inner selves, the wellspring from which our actions and words flow. This passage is not just a moral teaching; it is a profound invitation to examine the condition of our hearts and the nature of our speech.

The heart of this message is encapsulated in the metaphor of the blind leading the blind and the imagery of a person attempting to remove a speck from another’s eye while being oblivious to the plank in his own. Jesus is highlighting the irony and absurdity of our tendency to focus on the faults of others without recognizing our own shortcomings. This is a common human experience—how easy it is to judge others while remaining blind to our failures. 

A powerful story from the life of our father and founder, St. Philip Neri, a revered confessor in 16th century Rome, beautifully illustrates this principle. When a Duchess confessed her sin of gossip, Philip instructed her to take a feather pillow, rip it open, and let the feathers scatter in the wind. As the feathers danced away, he later asked her to gather them back. Frustrated, she realized it was impossible. Philip Neri then pointed out, “So too with your tongue, Madam.” This story serves as a vivid reminder of the irretrievable nature of our words. Once spoken, they can spread far and wide, just like those feathers, often producing consequences we cannot foresee.

Jesus teaches us that our words carry the power to build up or tear down. He reminds us that if we want to avoid judgment and condemnation towards others, we must first cultivate a heart that is generous, compassionate, and understanding. This echoes the very nature of God, who sees the heart and acts with love. If God can extend mercy and grace to us, how can we justify our harsh judgments of others?

This teaching is not to suggest that we should remain silent in the face of wrongdoing or neglect to speak the truth; rather, it invites us to approach criticism with humility and self-awareness. Critique should stem from a place of love and concern rather than judgment or condemnation. Often, our criticisms reflect our own inadequacies, what psychologists today call “projection.” When we condemn others for failings, we ourselves possess, we are not only being hypocritical but also missing the opportunity for genuine growth.

In our daily lives, how often do we find ourselves caught in the cycle of judgment? The conversations we engage in, the comments we make on social media, and the gossip that slips from our lips can easily escalate into a culture of negativity. As followers of Christ, we are called to break this cycle, to be instruments of peace and encouragement, reflecting the love of Christ in our interactions.

Let us also take a moment to consider the practical implications of this teaching. The Holy Eucharist is a powerful reminder of the love and sacrifice of Christ. It calls us to let go of our need to be powerful, to overcome the deadly sin of envy, and to transform our boredom into creativity and compassion. Let us pray for the grace to be mindful of our words, to choose them wisely, and to speak in ways that uplift, encourage, and build community.

Let us ask ourselves, how can we cultivate a heart that is aligned with Christ’s love? How can we be more intentional in our speech, ensuring that it reflects the goodness and mercy we have received? Let us strive to speak words that heal rather than hurt, that build bridges rather than walls.

In conclusion, let us remember the wisdom of St. Philip Neri and the profound truth of today’s Gospel. Our words are powerful, and they matter immensely in the tapestry of our relationships. Let us commit to being more aware of what we say and how we say it, so that we may truly reflect the love of Christ in our lives. May our hearts be transformed, so that our words may inspire and uplift all those we encounter. 

Fr. Arogya Raju Narisetty, C.O.