Reflection for Saturday, October 16, 2010: 28th week in Ordinary Time.
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Authors
Soto Becerra, Patricia
Issue Date
2010-10-16
Type
Essay
Language
en_US
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Abstract
Words|A couple of weeks ago I went over the readings of today and decided I needed time to "properly digest" the message. As I do the readings again today to prepare my writing it seems I either did not digest the message or the first impression I got a couple of weeks ago was so strong that, so far, no new idea has been more powerful. And my first impression after I read the Gospel of St. Luke was about the power our words have.|When I approach the Gospel I try to put the message in perspective of my daily life. I wonder, for example, what words have been used to deny God or blaspheme against the Holy Spirit. Perhaps I do not want to know those words. Or perhaps I want to learn about them to be aware when I hear them. This situation, nonetheless, seems to be too challenging for me right now. I need more reflection and analysis to elaborate on that.|That is why my interpretation of the readings this time goes about the use of words, a teaching from the readings that I can reflect upon as it makes part of my day to day relationship with everyone. Another reason for this choice is that, as some of you already know, English is not my native language so I pay a lot of attention, perhaps too much and few times with mistakes, to the appropriate use of words according to the context and the purpose.|As I have contact with so many students every day I have learned that words have to be carefully chosen to transmit the actual meaning I want: words that convey respect, honesty, patience, curiosity and genuine willingness to reach out to the other. More often than I would like to admit, as I am going to leave my office and walk toward the classroom I close my eyes and whisper: I hope I can use the right words to get in my students the understanding I want them to grasp. On the contrary, words that come full of arrogance, pain, fear, impatience produce such undesirable feelings of weakness, distress, frustration. I do not want my students to get such impressions. I want them to use my words and their words to make them aware of alternative ways to approach our world and enjoy it. An enjoyment that comes from their inside, from their own comprehension of our world's complexity and beauty, from an active contemplation of its mysteries.|My prayer today is, therefore, about letting the Holy Spirit to enlighten our words to convey the expected meaning, in every single aspect of our day to day conversations, talks, e-mails, writings... That our words express their true meaning and that our words give testimony of our respect for other's words.
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University Ministry, Creighton University.
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These reflections may not be sold or used commercially without permission. Personal or parish use is permitted.