The devil is in the details some say. When you see the title of this piece, pay closer attention because it refers to YOU, yes you! I’m not really a gambler, but I’d bet with pretty good odds that the title applies to most of us. It’s not a matter of intent but rather a matter of self-awareness and the lack thereof. For anyone on a spiritual journey the obvious is pretty easy. The biggie sins are plain to spot. They have plenty of sign posts and the desire to master them is compelling because the lack of serious sin really does create a better, more peaceful life. What about those details, though? It is a truism that as we develop any skill, including personal spirituality, the things left to perfect and/or practice over time become more and more finely defined. Volunteering time is easy enough but a personal and intimate daily prayer dialog with God, not so much. That’s where we fall into murder.
As we journey in the spirit maybe we don’t pay so much attention to the small things that we do that might put us off the rails or interrupt the progress of our spiritual walk. The sin is small, the results are big. What about your talk? Yes, your talk? While you are in the soup kitchen, on the job or in your home what about your talk? Those who are spiritual have pointed out that the tongue is almost the smallest organ in the entire body yet it is by far the most dangerous and most capable of destruction. When was the last time you checked your talk and your attitude toward those you speak with including family, friends, and service people? Have you administered damaging blows without even giving it a second thought? The deaths we administer don’t have to be major. The most lethal type is small and hidden in another person. Something that wounds the soul of another or administers a blow to their self-worth. Scripture makes no bones about the danger:
“The tongue is also a fire. It exists among our members as a world of malice, defiling the whole body and setting the entire course of our lives on fire, itself set on fire by Gehenna.” (James 3:6)
Sister Faustina clearly teaches:
“There is life, but there is also death in the tongue. O Jesus, have mercy on us! I tremble to think that I have to give an account of my tongue. There is life, but there is also death in the tongue. Sometimes we kill with the tongue: we commit real murders. And we are still to regard that as a small thing?” Diary 119
And St. Teresa of Calcutta clearly reminds us:
“Violence of the tongue is very real- sharper than any knife.” Mother Teresa
Think long and hard about who you are in the world. Have you killed someone’s ego or confidence, self-worth, or ability to talk to others or work with strangers or permit the love of God to come into their life? Pay attention to the small things you do and say, no one wants to be responsible for violence against another. The consequences are not easily repaired!
Copyright© 2016, Kathryn M. Cunningham
Kathryn M. Cunningham
Kathryn holds a Master’s in Education from Saint Xavier University. Most recently she completed Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies from The Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. This recent degree was part of a “retirement project” after teaching for 35 years. She has also worked as a spiritual director, music minister,council member and prayer team warrior. Kathryn has a deep interest in catechesis for the people in the pews. As a “sort of” convert she finds the wisdom of the Church a source for encouragement, joy and survival in a world not sure of anything. Her writing has appeared in diocesan publications and on-line sites, most recently for Zenit. To learn more about Kathryn check out her thinking at: www.atravelersview.org">ATravelersView.org.
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