Words kill, words give life - You Choose!

The text above that makes up this title comes from Proverbs 18: 21.

In the NRSV, it is written as:

Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruits. (Proverbs 18:21)

In the Message, it is written as:

Words kill, words give life;
they're either poison or fruit—you choose. (Proverbs 18:21)

Today's actions are most assuredly the actions of a disturbed individual or group. The little we know at this time is that the boy who did this was rambling and extremely disturbed. While you cant stop folks like them from acting in destructive and violent ways, we can and must stop contributing to it.

Lately, we have had a lot of words floating around that dehumanize or call for violence against those that are different/disagree/speak out against a perceived majority or cultural group. For minds that are looking for something to latch onto, these words act as both a beacon and a call to action. These words motivate them and they dwell on them. These words lead people to go into churches and shoot doctors, crash planes into buildings, and finally shoot little girls who were there to see her congresswoman.

What is worse is that when we dont speak against these words or those that say them, we cover ourselves in the blood of the actions these words breed. When we give them a pass, we cover ourselves in the blood these words spill. Because words precede deeds. Words are the kindling.

Therefore, We must choose what words we use and whose words we listen to and repeat. WE must hold not only ourselves, but the speakers of these words accountable. We must stand and say no this isnt acceptable. When they say others have done it in the past, we must say SO WHAT we wont do it anymore.

In the end, like in the prayer of Francis of Assisi, we choose life or death. For me, I choose life.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

Amen.