Ukrainian Orthodoxy		Orthodoxie ukrainienne

What are we Communicating?

Very Reverend Ihor Kutash kutash@unicorne.org

(Seventh Sunday after Pentecost)

As we read today's Gospel (Matthew 9:27-35) we discover something ironic. Here is a man who could not speak because he was possessed by a demon. And as soon as Jesus cast the demon out of him the man who had been dumb until that time began to speak.

The irony is that often the destructive power of evil is manifest by speech rather than by the lack of it. We wound people with our words. We lie. We promote malicious slander. Or we flatter, speaking insincerely to get the advantage over people who like to hear nice things about themselves for a change. In short we abuse the precious gift of communication.

Just think about it. If we would pay attention to what we say for a day, what would we find? How many of our words are well thought out? How often do we give sincere praise to encourage people? How often do we offer helpful, friendly suggestions and feedback that will help people correct their shortcomings? How many chains of gossip have we cut through? How often have we said to those who offer us gossip: "That is simply not true", or "Excuse me, but I don't think that's really true" or even "Perhaps we should give him (or her) the benefit of the doubt"? And how often have the chains of gossip actually originated with us?

The gift of speech is precious indeed! It is one of the major traits that raises us above the animal kingdom. There are many clever animals - but we humans dominate because we can speak and listen and communicate information and ideas. What a pity so much of this gift is wasted! And so much of it is used to destroy as in propaganda and brainwashing. The human tongue, so useful, so marvelous provides evil spirits with the tools they need to tear apart people, families and communities! This ought not to be. This is not the way God intended His creation to go. We must each do our part in setting it right.

However, when Jesus saw the man who could not speak He did not stop to wonder how well he might use this gift if he had it. God gave humans speech - Jesus would not tolerate the devil's deprivation of this gift to the possessed man. He cast out the demon and the man spoke - hopefully to praise God and thank Jesus for the gift He had given. This gift, as we have seen, was twofold: the ability to speak and the freedom to make choices as to how to use the gift of speech.

God has given us the same gift. Most of us can speak and communicate in all sorts of ways. Let us begin by letting God know that we repent for having so often abused this gift of speech. Remembering how Jesus spoke and acted let us recommit ourselves to speaking and communicating in love and truth. May our words bring hope, encouragement, healing and joy to others. Then they will also bring joy to God and blessing to ourselves.

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