Words and the Word

Last week we were forcefully reminded of the power of words, as inflammatory language - often with warlike overtones - reached fever pitch in our parliamentary and public life. Words have power, and their effects can endure: and last week we saw them being used to divide, denigrate and destroy - and how dangerous they can be.

At some point during the week I remembered that Jesus is the Logos, the Word that was with God since the beginning, and that was - is - God; a God who became incarnate as the Word who dwelt among us (John 1.1, 14). Here we have a Word which has immense power, and enduring effects - power to unite, to build, to raise up, heal and to redeem, with selfless, saving love.

This week began differently to the last one. For various reasons things have been more muted, and there have been some - not necessarily successful - attempts to rein in the intemperate language. But this week too has marked the beginning of 'The God Who Speaks' - a year of focus on the bible for Catholics in England and Wales. And once again I am reminded of the word of God: the word which speaks of life and hope, challenge, call and good news; which speaks of salvation and covenant, and God's steadfast, faithful love. And a God who speaks  to his people directly, or - as in today's first reading - through his interpreters, the prophets; and most especially through Jesus, the Word made flesh. For those of us who are touched by this initiative, I hope this invitation to celebrate, live and share God's word in new, deeper ways provides a powerful, effective and cleansing antidote to all the angry, ugly words which seek to dominate our discourse and tear us apart.