Swinging a Toothpick

Learning to use our words wisely

Matthew 18:21-35

Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. That is why the Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’ Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, ‘Pay back what you owe.’

          Boys and girls, you are growing powerful. Have you noticed that? For example, some of you have gained physical power, like when you play sports. Others are strong intellectually, with very sharp minds. Some are stunningly beautiful or handsome, which is also a special kind of power. Still others possess the ability to make people laugh, a sense of humor, which again wields much power. How are you using that new power: to help people or to harm them? You’ve probably experimented and done both, sometimes helping, sometimes harming, and that’s how you know you have this unique power.

          Let me tell you about another power that many people pass over, namely, the power of words. It is said that Shakespeare had a working vocabulary of 54,000 words. By contrast, most Americans have a working vocabulary of about 3,000 words. Shakespeare died in 1616, exactly 400 years ago this year, but we’re still reading his plays and poems. Will anyone read anything you or I write 400 years from now? I kinda doubt it. In other words, the power of Shakespeare’s words reaches across centuries to touch and tickle our ears today. That dude was powerful.

          On Sunday, I attended the 8 a.m. Vietnamese Mass in Barling. I felt like a Gringo in a Spanish Mass – clueless and very self-conscious. I felt very powerless and puny. But all of you who speak Vietnamese and Spanish wield the power of words in other languages. Don’t lose that power, but be careful how you use that power.

          Today’s gospel is really about how to wield our words in a way that helps rather than harms. The king employs words of clemency and compassion to a servant in debt to him. He forgives him. And it’s clear to everyone paying attention to the parable, that debtor should have done the same, but didn’t. Rather, his words were cruel and critical, “Pay back what you owe!” Both the king and the servant employed the power of words: one to help, the other to harm.

          In 1839, English author Edward Bulwer-Lytton coined the phrase, “the pen is mightier than the sword.” Have you heard that before? That means words do more damage than a sword that can cut off your head. Have you used your words like swords to harm other people? For instance, have you ever put a note in someone’s locker, saying scathing and scandalous things about them? The pen is mightier than the sword. Have you written on a bathroom wall in a way that made you feel powerful? The pen is mightier than the sword. Or rather, have you used your words to heal, to comfort, and to inspire others? The choice is in your hands, and on your tongue.

           Shakespeare was a master of 54,000 words, whereas you and I are masters of about 3,000 words. If Shakespeare brandished a sword, you and I are swinging toothpicks. Well, try to do some good with your toothpick.

          Praised be Jesus Christ!