The Power of Words

In Biblical School we are studying Ezekiel. This week the focus is on the promise of restoration and hope for a new beginning for the Israelites who have been in exile in Babylon. The hope for Israel’s future is grounded in God’s holiness. “Not for your sakes do I act, house of Israel, but for the sake of my holy name, which you profaned among the nations to which you came.” (Ezekiel 36:22) Just like the Israelites, we sin against God and because he is all good, all holy, He continually calls us back to Him.

Israel is described as dried bones that have no life, no hope. The word of God is so powerful, even spoken through his prophets, life returns to the dead bone. Ezekiel hears the rattling of the bones as they come together, the sinews and the flesh cover them and the people are made whole. Then the spirit is called upon and life is breathed back into them (Ezekiel 37:7-10). In the beginning, God only had to speak the words and it came into being, “God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.” (Genesis 1:3) This is how the whole universe came to be and all that is in it. God spoke and it came to be. Today is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, when the angel Gabriel came to Mary and told her, “you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.” Mary’s response was, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:31-33, 38) Mary was open to these powerful words from God. Because of her fiat, the Word became flesh.

And while only God has the power to speak someone into being, our words are very powerful, too. Proper use of the tongue requires prudence, reserve and charity. If we are not careful, our tongue can be our downfall. If we don’t think before we speak, we may regret the words that come from our lips, and once they are spoken, it is very hard to repair the damage they have done. So may our words be used to build one another up, to comfort those in need and to continually give praise to our heavenly Father, to whom all glory is due.