Words Really Matter
Mark Twain said, “The difference between the almost right word and the right word is the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.”
I learned — sometimes the hard way! — that words really matter! As a preacher and writer who labors over every word I speak or put into print (including these!), I would never use the word elderly to describe an active senior citizens. At 76, I wouldn’t want it to be used to describe me, either!
That’s why it became a big deal when the Special Counsel assigned to investigate the documents in Joe Biden’s garage described the President as elderly while declaring that he would not be indicted. Trump and the MAGA media leaped on it as a delicious way to slam Biden, though measured by the same standards, the former President is elderly, too!
Whatever your opinion about the President’s age, I’m pointing out that the choice of that word was no accident. Words not only describe things, they can also create things; they can cause things to happen. Lincoln’s words attempted to unite the nation while Trump’s words ignited an insurrection.
Words Do Something
My mother was right about most things, but she was wrong when she said, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” Words can hurt or they can heal. Words do things.
God’s words are busy doing things in the Bible. In the Genesis, God speaks the world into being. God speaks to Moses in the burning bush and speaks the words of judgment and hope through the prophets. In the gospels, Jesus speaks words that describe the world the way God intends for it to be. His words got him nailed to a cross.
At the Transfiguration, the voice of God repeats the words Jesus heard at his baptism, “This is my beloved son. Listen to him.” (Matt. 17:5)
At the grand finale of the gospel, the Risen Christ sends his disciples (that’s us!) into the world to “make disciples … teaching them to obey everything that I’ve commanded you.” (Matt 28:20). And in the book of Revelation God speaks the final words of triumph over all the power of suffering, pain, and death.
Words of Love
As if you needed to be reminded, Wednesday is Valentine’s Day. With or without the over-priced greeting cards, the heart-shaped candies, and the roses, it’s a reminder of our need to speak and to receive words of love. I told couples preparing for marriage that while words alone are not enough, love that goes unspoken often goes away.
But it’s not just about heart-shaped love that leads to marriage.
We read Paul’s magnificent words about love in 1 Corinthians 13 at weddings. I’ve seen lots of marriages that could be a lot healthier if people practiced those words. But Paul didn’t write those words for weddings. He wrote them for a church in conflict. They are words for imperfect people who are growing toward perfect love in an imperfect world. They are words for all of us in all of our relationships. Words we need to speak and to hear.
I have a long-time friend who never hesitates to tell me that he loves me. In fact, he told me he loved me before I had given him any reason to say it. And most important, he means it! If Valentine’s Day reminds us to speak words of love to others, it will be worth the cards, candy and flowers.
But wait! There’s more!
Words of Dust
Wednesday is also Ash Wednesday. Followers of Christ receive the mark of the cross on their foreheads as they hear the words, “Remember that you are dust and to dust you will return.” They are not particularly words we want to hear!
I sometimes hesitated when I spoke those words over a person who had just received the medical report none of us what to receive, or when I put the ashes on the forehead of an innocent young child or an energetic teenager.
But here’s the surprise!
When we face up to the unwelcome reality of death, we discover how precious this life is and we can choose how we will live it. St. Benedict’s “Rule” for his monasteries in the fifth century included the instruction, “Keep your death daily before your eyes.”
Reflecting on Benedict’s dictum, Parker Palmer wrote, “That may sound like a morbid practice, but I assure you it isn’t. If you hold a healthy awareness of your own mortality, your eyes will be opened to the glory and grandeur of life.” He said getting used to the idea of dying can evoke “hope, generosity, and gratitude.”
Words Worth Repeating
In our overly-talkative culture, we have good reason to agree with Liza In My Fair Lady when she sings:
Words Words Words
I’m so sick of words
I get words all day through
First from him, now from you
Is that all you blighters can do?
By contrast, I grew up hearing:
Sing them over again to me,
Wonderful words of life;
Let me more of their beauty see,
Wonderful words of life;
Words of life and beauty
Teach me faith and duty.
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
Wonderful words of life;
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
Wonderful words of life.
And that’s more than enough words from me!
Grace and peace,
Jim
Jim Harnish 
When I adopted my cat, I got a $50 discount on the adoption under a “Pets for the Elderly” program. I almost turned down the discount, but I’m also Bill Hamilton’s grandson
Well done!! I have heard words you can drive, you can continue therapy , all is getting better…. in recent weeks that really do matter. They give resolution and they give hope. Thanks for your reminder and you and Martha have a great Super Bowl Sunday and SHALOM, Tom Mc
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Jim, the point of the Special Counsel’s report, and his use of the term “elderly”, was much more about his lack of cognition, his loss of memory, and his overall impaired mental functioning, than it was about chrononlogical age. Every person in this country should be terrified that this man is theoretically the leader of the free world.
I didn’t know you were battling health issues, but I pray that God will heal you and grant you many more years on earth with family and friends.
Fabulous words, Jim, and the ideas they create!
Mortality is inevitable on this earth. But the reminder of eternal life offered by Jesus is of great comfort.
Thank you for that reminder.