Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.
Remember this old playground mantra that our elders taught us? Who the heck were they kidding? Obviously, anyone who stands by this could be totally impervious to emotion, has never been verbally abused, or he's just an outright idiot. The truth is words hurt a lot more than those damned sticks and stones.
Considered as one of the most powerful tools at man's disposal, words can heal and uplift when used in the right context. When brandished as a weapon, reckless words are just as efficient as the deadliest gun or as piercing as the sharpest sword. Sans bloodshed, a few syllables can crush a person, scar his spirit, break his esteem and leave him tormented for life. A few well spoken words can annihilate.
This was my take away from last Sunday's homily. It was rather timely as well, to hear of the adulteress and the whole "let-him-who-is-without-sin-cast-the-first-stone" story. Fortunately, by sheer luck, I chanced upon a minister who managed to stir my then idle head. More than the attempt of stoning, the priest emphasized the shame hurled by those righteous Pharisees at the woman.
At a point in time, in some form or another, we have been at the adulteress' footwear. We have been the victim of those who are used to speaking without thinking, or worse, those who hide behind the right of speech to say what they want, without regard to the pain, damage and stigma that they inflict on someone else.
The tongue only speaks what comes from the heart, they say and if it comes from the heart then it must be true. However, it should be clearly understood that honesty is and will never be an excuse for rudeness and cruelty.
It is not okay to intimidate people. It is not okay to make fun of others. It is not okay to threaten, embarrass or attempt to control, manipulate and demean anyone.
It is never okay to just let bullies run around unchecked.
4 comments:
Honestly, I'd rather have somebody make fun of me than beat me with a baseball bat.
I haven't been beaten with a bat before. But I bet this will scar you both physically and emotionally as well.
may point ka dyan. i think some people never leave high school. :D
Name calling
Something I read =)
If I call you a name and get you upset, then I temporarily feel more powerful because I had a powerful effect upon you. My self-esteem rises at your expense. I project my unhappiness on to you and you take it on if you allow yourself to be upset.
Now, if you do not get upset at my attempt, then I cannot dump my original unhappiness on you. Then I am left not only with my failure to successfully dump it on you but also with my original unhappiness to boot. Thus, if you're successful at being unbothered by my words, then I wind up more unhappy; and I'll probably quickly stop those words.
Kane
You made quite a good point there. And since bullies only respond to strength, we must... retaliate. LOL. Kidding.
It's quite a while since I last heard a homily. Not a Catholic but I liked the idea of homilies. Hmm.
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