"WHOEVER LOVES ME WILL
KEEP MY WORD"
KEEP MY WORD"
To change the
world, we need to start with our own "world:" home, school, work, and
neighborhood.
I
read a saying today in one of our commentaries that is fitting for our
reflection: The environmentalists use the slogan, "Think globally; act
locally." This is a good technique for Christian people to spread the Good
News of the Gospel. To change the world, we need to start with our own
"world:" home, school, work, and neighborhood. Where might we make a
difference as a Christian presence?
A
former Poet Laureate, Stanley Kunitz, wrote Reflections on a Century in the
Garden. In the book, Kunitz describes his experience of falling in love with
language as a child. Finding new words in a dictionary, Kunitz learned new
meanings, but he also loved even hearing their sounds. "I would go out
into the woods behind our house, shout my latest discovery, and listen to the
words reverberate." He went on to say, "I considered it my duty to
give my new words to the elements, to scatter them."
During
this time of reflection, ponder on the power of our own presence and words that
carry not only meaning, but are also formed by our spirit, our very breath, and
our very selves! The words that we cry out should be full of kindness, joy,
peace, compassion, and of course, forgiveness -- especially to those who need
it the most!
Jesus
says, "Whoever loves Me will keep My Word."