In her reflection article last month, Sr Annette mentioned the commencement of Lent. Within another week or two, we will focus on the crucifixion of Jesus followed three days later by his glorious resurrection.
Among our points of focus during Lent is self-reflection. We are invited to ponder how our lives are going, how our relationships with God and each other are going. This year, Pope Leo’s message for Lent is about relationships – in particular, how we speak about each other. He put it simply: I would like to invite you to a very practical and frequently unappreciated form of abstinence: that of refraining from words that offend and hurt our neighbour. … Let us begin by disarming our language, avoiding harsh words and rash judgement, refraining from slander and speaking ill of those who are not present and cannot defend themselves.[1]
One of the tragedies of our world is the ease with which hurtful, harmful, untrue words about others can be broadcast to millions in a second via social media. Pope Leo is right to remind us of how easily words become weapons of destruction, so easily used to build hatred and fear in our own country and beyond.
In the face of this overwhelming volume of negative content, the choice we retain is how we ourselves will behave and how we will limit our exposure to vitriolic content that can distort our perspective of what is right and wrong and undermine our sense of wellbeing.
The words we speak and write are our personal choice, our personal responsibility. Our God-given gift of freedom of choice enables us to speak and write truthfully, fairly and kindly about others, whether at home, at work, on social media, or anywhere we find ourselves. In the Ten Commandments, we are instructed that You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.[2]
Pope Leo went to suggest the following: Instead, let us strive to measure our words and cultivate kindness and respect in our families, among our friends, at work, on social media, in political debates, in the media and in Christian communities. In this way, words of hatred will give way to words of hope and peace. Our words are our opportunity build each other up, seeing and naming the good in each other and providing encouragement accordingly.
As we move towards the key events of the crucifixion and resurrection, we remember that among the contributing factors to the crucifixion of Jesus was false witness brought against him by those in power, threatened by his influence among the common people. Yet the resurrection is about the reign of God, the power of God breaking the power of death and evil. Good reason to celebrate Easter and remember the goodness within each of us that enables us to contribute to the reign of God in our times. Across the ministries that comprise Mercy Ministry Companions, we can choose to be people who use ‘words of hope and peace’ in our homes, workplaces and entire lives.
[1] https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2026/02/13/260213d.html#
[2] Exodus 20:16