The Power of Words
[getty src="1084652004" width="594" height="413" tld="com"]embedded courtesy of Getty ImagesThis week, there was a news story that was both disturbing and fascinating. Many of you probably saw video clips of events that transpired a week ago Friday afternoon when several groups converged. At first report and view, it appeared that a group of high school students from Kentucky, in Washington for the March for Life, had approached and taunted a group associated with an Indigenous Peoples March. Later reporting and other views seemed to show that the Native Americans had approached the students, and that a third group composed primarily of African Americans, and self-identified by some members as “Hebrew Nationals” was also involved.Depending upon which video version of events you watch, and which commentary you listen to, it is possible to draw different conclusions about who instigated the confrontation, and who seems to be at fault in furthering the conflict. There are strong feelings on all sides.[1]If there is a need to assign blame, I’ll leave it to others to determine what percentage each party or person should be expected to bear.I mention these events today mainly as a reminder of the tremendous power of words. The racist slurs of the Hebrew Israelites obviously contributed to hurt, anger, and tension. The advancing Indigenous Peoples, chanting something later called a “Healing Prayer,” certainly could have confused others who did not understand its intent. Likewise, a group of high school boys, reciting their own set of chants, could have been interpreted as hateful and threatening. What many now call “The Lincoln Memorial Incident” reminds me that words have power. The wrong words can tear down, and destroy what is good, and true, and beautiful. But just as the wrong words can have disastrous consequences, the right words can build up, like the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., spoken at the same site more than 55 years ago. The right words can promote healing and positive transformation.Today’s gospel reading records a visit by Jesus to his home congregation. He is invited to read from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. The words he chooses are few, but powerful enough to inspire and guide the world-changing ministry that he launches that day. Jesus believes that the kingdom of God is breaking into human history through his presence and his words.[2] But, like the incident at the Lincoln Memorial, Jesus’ words are not well understood or received, and Jesus barely escapes an angry mob.The transforming power of words is shown in the events recorded in the eighth chapter of Nehemiah. There we find the Hebrew people rebuilding Jerusalem. After a long period of oppression and desolation, the people are recovering their lost traditions. Ezra brings with him from Babylon the Book of the Law, probably what we know as the first five books of the Bible.[3] When Ezra and the Levites read and interpret it, the people weep. They weep because the long lost word of God has been found, and, with it, a purpose to invigorate their lives, and a power to constitute their community.The wrong words can destroy. But the right words spoken at the right time, can heal the world.When we held officer training one week ago, we briefly covered Presbyterian history, polity, and governance. Like I always do, I told the officers that there are remarkable similarities between the structure of American government and Presbyterian government. I told them that these similarities are natural because up to 25% colonial Americans were associated with the Presbyterian Church, and many others were influenced by its history and polity. This time of year, Presbyterians elect and install or inaugurate officers, like our national government. This time of year, Presbyterians hold annual meetings similar to a “state of the union” meeting, just like our national government – except this year. Maybe.If we took time to study “just the facts” about why there has been no state-of-the-union address this year, some of our description likely would focus on the pattern of communication between the president and the speaker of the house. Just two letters are fascinating object lessons in thinly veiled hostility, the one from Trump to Pelosi canceling the trip to Brussels, Egypt, and Afghanistan, and the other from Pelosi to Trump canceling the previously issued invitation to deliver the state of the union address.In contrast to this sort of behavior, I lift up the story of another way described by Missouri senator John Danforth, which I’ve shared with you at least twice previously. Danforth, a Republican, invited Democratic senator Tom Eagleton to sit in an honored place at the family dinner following Danforth’s swearing-in ceremony. Danforth warmly remembers that during the dinner, Tom turned to him, and said, “I bet you wish your father could be here,” and how in that moment of compassion, a relationship developed that would allow them to work in bi-partisan ways.The influence of a pastor and mentor was most evident in Danforth’s memory of George L. Cadigan, who was bishop of the Episcopal diocese of Missouri when Danforth was ordained to the priesthood. With obvious warmth in his voice, Danforth remembered the way that Bishop Cadigan ended every letter with the words, “I am your friend.” Then Danforth wondered with us, what if we made a point of saying to those with whom we have an antagonistic relationship, “I am your friend.”[4]He said that in the difficult and sometimes toxic atmosphere we find ourselves in, if you know someone as a friend, you can get things done. I imagine that if our elected leaders spent less time posturing about who is to blame and plotting revenge, and more time on breaking bread together, and interacting socially to make friends, then good things would follow.Today, we hold the annual meeting of our congregation, an occasion on which we write and print and say many words. I’ve been at this more than 30 years now, and have noticed a change in how I approach the occasion. I used to spend a lot of time projecting goals and measuring results, and a graph or three might have turned up in my old reports. I still think those things are good and proper this time of year. But I’ve come to believe that the most powerful words we speak to another this time of year are words of gratitude. This benefits and builds up the person who is receiving our thanks, of course. But it also has an important function to remind the one thanking of gifts he or she has received, the foundation upon which we build that goes back through our fellow church members and fathers and mothers all the way to Jesus and the apostles and the prophets. When we have a thankful heart, we will live a more happy and abundant life, and demonstrate deeper faith in God’s sustaining power now, and in the future.When you watch the news (or hear it or read it) and feel tempted to give in to despair about the state of our society, remember God’s good gifts, and be grateful. Never underestimate the value of a church like ours as the keeper of sacred tradition, and the power of words that shape, transform, and heal. A community of faith like this one is provides the spiritual rationale, motivation, and inspiration that allows compassion and conflict resolution to continue. The right words have power to heal the world. As Nehemiah said long ago:“This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep …. Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our Lord; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”NOTES[1] https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/21/us/maga-hat-teens-native-american-second-video/index.html accessed 1 February 2019.[2] N. T. Wright, “The Mission and Message of Jesus,” in The Meaning of Jesus: Two Visions, San Francisco: Harper Collins Publishers, 1999, p. 37.[3] Jacob M. Myers, Ezra/Nehemiah, Vol. 14 in the Anchor Bible, Garden City, NY: Doubleday & Co., Inc., 1965, p. 153.[4] Personal notes taken during lecture by John Danforth, Danforth Center on Religion and Politics, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, 6 September 2017.