Memorial of Saints Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs
We hear familiar words in both readings today, familiar because they are spoken during the most important action of the People of God — the Mass. We hear or recite those words every time we gather to break-the-bread and to drink-the-cup.
Today, Paul writes the oldest account we have of the Last Supper, 16 years before the first narrative Gospel (Mark). What Paul writes is found near verbatim in our liturgical texts:
“I received from the LORD what I handed on to you, that the LORD Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, ‘This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way also the cup after supper saying, ‘This is the cup of the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the death of the LORD until he comes.” — 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.
Today’s Gospel (Luke) gives us another text we recite every Mass: “...I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof…but only say the word…”
It may well have been that neither Paul nor Luke suspected the impact of the words they wrote. Remember that both were expecting the LORD to return in their lifetimes. In their view, there weren’t going to be any future generations to read or hear or recite the words that they wrote.
Wouldn't they be surprised?
Think of impactful words that you either spoke or had spoken to you. Did these words have unexpected power? Might the Holy Spirit inspire such life giving words, unbeknownst to the speaker? On the other hand, might the Unholy Spirit inspire words that destroy or tear down?
In pre-adolescence, two influential people told me that I have a gift for writing. I didn’t expect to hear that. And it truly surprised me. One was my eighth grade English teacher, a kindly Ursuline Sister. The other was a neighbor who was influential and respected throughout Mahoning County. He had read something I had written for school (I had accidentally left my notebook behind) and personally sought me out to tell me that I had talent. His words stuck with me my entire life.
Despite struggling with several learning disabilities and ADHD, I did become a published writer many times over, in part because I never forgot what those two generous people told me as a 12 year old. They made me believe in myself. As a teacher myself for 39 years, I made a point of letting students know if I saw a particular gift in them. I felt I owed it to them as well as to those who had so generously influenced me all those years ago.
How might we become more cognizant of the words we speak or write? A tremendous responsibility, we never know their power for good or ill. And always leave room for the Holy Spirit to surprise as to what comes forth out of our mouths or that of others. Let us ask the same Spirit to block us from speaking words that wound and deflate others.
—Timothy J. Cronin