PostScript: #WordsMatter #WordsThatMatter
Speaking truth to power and the power of true speaking (Mark 8.27-38).
Context
Reflection
Sometimes it can feel like we are powerless pawns in a world of conflict. We face conflict with the power of nature - like hurricanes and floods – and conflicts between people and countries. The words we use to describe these can betray our mixed views and feelings; can war ever really be a ‘game’, as the Russian military manoeuvres are commonly described?
Aristotle recognised the power of words and lots of recent research backs this up; words can betray our state of mind, change our perceptions, influence our intentions and perhaps even change our futures. Words can be positive and destructive. It is not just the words themselves, but the stereotypes and assumptions behind them that cause concern, as the debate about the Serena Williams cartoon shows.
In his ‘battle’ against ‘fake news’ President Trump both uses and accuses the power of words and in particular the media to influence society. Jesus seems to be making a similar point when he warns the disciples against spreading the news that he is the Messiah, and chastises Peter for avoiding the truth of the path of suffering that lies ahead. Today’s activists know and use the power of words in blogs, tweets and special media reports as well as physical protest. Here in Latin America there is protest about corruption, poverty and politics in many countries but also, as in Mexico, hope that if those with power genuinely listen to our words, positive change will happen.
Those of us who work in the field of abuse know the power of words, and in the UK this has been recognised in domestic abuse legislation with the emphasis on coercive control. As young people start at new schools and develop new networks, sadly many of them will also experience the devastating effects of abusive words, especially through cyber-bullying. Jesus doesn’t justify cruel and meaningless suffering like this, but holds out a promise that suffering can be transformed into a power for good by God.
Campaigns like #MeToo demonstrate one way that speaking out the truth and releasing others to share their suffering can be powerful and transformational. Whether used for good or for harm, all #WordsMatter. Our challenge is to choose the words that matter well.
Prayer
A reflective prayer activity that can be used in services, groups and families.
Give everyone four different colours of sticky notes. On the first, invite them to write words of wounding or judgement they have used that they still regret. On the second, words that have been used against them that hurt or caused suffering. On the third, the affirming and uplifting words of love God has for them. On the fourth, positive and uplifting words of love they could use to reflect God’s love to the world.
Invite people to put the first note in a bucket of water, as an act of penitence and forgiveness. Screw up the second note and throw it in a bin, or burn in a fireproof receptacle, as an act of letting go and healing. The third to take home and display on a noticeboard or wall in daily view, as a reminder of the God’s good words of power and love and an intention to speak the powerful words of love in daily life.
Questions
- How have words had a positive and negative impact in your life?
- How do you use words for harm and for good?
- Do you agree that words matter?
- What words of God speak most strongly to you at the moment?
- How can you use words that matter this week to create positive change?
All-age activity
Talk about the items in the news this week and the power of words to change ideas; in particular the power of positive words. Share examples of words from the Bible or from prayer times that people have found especially encouraging, loving, meaningful, healing. Make a giant poster of #WordsThatMatter and display where it can speak to people in the coming week. Maybe people can tweet some of their words too?
Young people
Talk about good and bad experiences of words, especially in peer groups. With care and sensitivity, introduce the topic of cyber-bullying, using the web reference cited for quick access to resources and signposting for support. Create a twitter campaign together using #WordsMatter and #WordsThatMatter that encourages positive words and speaks out against abusive words.
Jane Chevous uses words for transformation through learning and social action – while voyaging with her husband in their sailing boat home, currently in El Salvador.
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