Speaking the Truth

We don’t like to speak the truth about evil because we’re going to hurt somebody. Let me tell you, you are going to hurt somebody, but that Somebody is God. If you would rather hurt God than your neighbor, there is something wrong with your spirituality. It’s your obligation to speak the truth and everyone can either take it or leave it. But truth must be in us. We live in such poverty of the truth today.
- Mother Angelica

Friday, January 16, 2009

Speak with Truth

We have heard them, we know them;
our ancestors have recited them to us.
We do not keep them from our children;
we recite them to the next generation,
The praiseworthy and mighty deeds of the LORD,
the wonders that He performed. Psalm 78:3-4

Have you ever talked to someone who was extremely intelligent? So intelligent that you had a hard time following what they were trying to say? I have. If we are to speak the truth about God and His works to the next generation, we must speak in a way that they understand. We must remember to keep our vocabulary simple and explanations on their level.

So if we're talking to our children about where babies come from and they're 2, 3, 4... we can tell them babies come from God (thank you for that Crystal!). Now, depending on how much they already know, they may have more questions, but to make my point, I'm going to keep that simple....

If we're talking to others about God, His works, or His will, we must remember where they are coming from. Maybe they are coming from a Godless life, a Godless childhood. Maybe they are coming from different religious views. In that case, we must speak with understanding and acceptance. That's why it's important that we learn about others.

So we speak the truth about God. But we must do it in a way that doesn't overwhelm others or offend too badly.

Dear Lord, I love You so much and want to share it with the world! Please help me to use the right words so that my faith may be passed on.

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