Lectionary: 479Immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be mentioned among you, as is fitting among holy ones, no obscenity or silly or suggestive talk, which is out of place, but instead, thanksgiving. Be sure of this, that no immoral or impure or greedy person, that is, an idolater, has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God.
Monday is as good a day as any to resolve again to clean up our act.
In New York City, several years ago, the leaders decided to take a new tack with crime. They would tolerate nothing. Jaywalkers, litterbugs and vandals were immediately confronted and charged. Where they did not catch the spray painters who trashed the subway cars, they pulled the vehicles out of service and repainted them with the uniform colors. The "artists" were discouraged by this action and graffiti declined.
There were problems with the effort, as we now know, since "white" violators were less likely to be charged. But there was less crime, life in the Big Apple improved and New Yorkers regained some pride in their city.
Saint Paul sets a similar standard for the citizens of his heavenly kingdom. "Immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be mentioned among you." Sexist, racist, scatological or ethnic jokes must not even be mentioned among you!
With the Me Too movement we're beginning to understand how often and how subtly we vandalize our civil society. These remarks were never appropriate but they seemed innocuous. "What harm do they do?" the cynic might ask. "Can you prove in scientific fashion that there is harm or violence in this kind of talk Can you point to the data?"
Yes, we can. There is scientific research that shows the criminal impact of racist, sexist, and homophobic language. African-Americans are impacted by racist remarks even when they are not in the room. Cruel jokes about persons with disabilities create a hostile environment which they readily detect.
Since February 2002, the Church has been repeatedly humiliated by the discovery of priest pedophilia. Where did that come from? A culture that tolerated uncivilized, unchristian remarks among men, among priests. And, in some cases, in our parish centers and diocesan offices.
Now that we know that, Monday is as good a day as any to resolve again to clean up our act.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.