Scripture: Matthew 12:36-37 – “I tell you, on the day of judgment you will have to give an account for every careless word you utter, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (NRSVue)
There is a lot of frustration at this time of year. Even though we are reminded of Jesus coming into the world to guide us to salvation and love and even though we look forward to that perfect Christmas morning and even though Santa Claus is watching us, we are not at our best right now.
I think we all can remember when going to a shopping mall was the pretty much only way to get your shopping done. On a Saturday before Christmas, you would struggle to find parking. You would have to walk to and from your car, maybe in the ice and snow, hoping not to drop your packages. You would have to stand in line while an undertrained and overworked clerk futilely tries to keep things moving. And while online ordering removes some of these inconveniences, it brings its own issues with delays, mistakes, and the potential for theft.
How many of us have not let slip a foul or unkind word in times like this? It seems unavoidable. Often, we use “colorful language” in our frustration, like Ralphie and the Old Man do in A Christmas Story. Perhaps we throw a quarter in the swear jar or get our mouths washed out with soap. But the real danger is not abstract words of anger, but cruel words we do not even realize we are saying.
All the grumbles at retail workers and distracted drivers add up over time. And before we know it, we become angry people who see others not as children of God but as speed bumps on the road to getting what we want.
Jesus that words could be more powerful than swords and says that “every careless word you utter” could condemn you. We might hear this and say, “Oh, dear!” Only we probably would use a different word than “dear.” EVERY careless word! Even the one I just said! Then, who can be saved? As people of faith, we believe in God’s grace, forgiveness, and mercy, and we know that through repentance we can be reconciled to God. But we still need to be responsible for what we say.
I know it is a loaded term, but there are things called, “microaggressions.” These are usually thoughtless things people say without realizing they are offensive that belittle others, often to the point that they internalize the implicit scorn. It is not the decidedly terrible things we say to an enemy, but the offhand remarks we say to friends that can get us into the biggest trouble. They make our workplaces “toxic” and have the potential to drive people away from a church without us even realizing what we are doing.
Jesus tells us to watch our mouths. This is especially important advice for times like these when we are most frustrated and distracted. What we say matters, especially the careless things. So, when you feel your blood pressure rising in frustration, remember to watch your mouth so this can be the season of joy and a celebration of the family of humanity.
Prayer: God, help me to calm down, take a breath, and bring merriness and not misery through my words. Amen.
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