Speak Love

 I recently read Awaken My Heart: 52 Weeks of Giving Thanks and Living Abundantly by Emily Wilson Hussem to write a review for Catholic Library World. It is an excellent book. If you are serious about doing some heavy spiritual work in the coming year, this is the book to pick up! 

 

In this post, I wanted to highlight just one of the topics Hussem covers. Week 13 is titled "Speak Love." The Scripture passage is Matthew 12:36-37:

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will render an account for every careless word they speak. By your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.

Hussem then offers this powerful visual: 

Imagine that Jesus invites you to step into a room with him. Imagine that in this room, every positive and negative word you have spoken about other people throughout your life is written on the walls. Imagine that the positive statements are in green and the negative statements are in red. 

Imagine standing there with Jesus as you look together at all of these sentences, words, and phrases. What color would the walls be? Mostly green, with a little red, or covered in red with only the slightest bit of green peeking through?

Would you be able to look Jesus in the eyes as you stand next to him in this room? With these words about his beloved friends exposed and brought to light?

Something to think about, isn't it?