WORSHIP

Pastor's Message

Before you speak, let your words pass through three gates:
At the first gate, ask yourself “Is it true?”
At the second gate ask, “Is it necessary?”
At the third gate ask, “Is it kind?”

-Rumi

                Among the roiling currents of culture and discourse these days is the conversation on the nature of speech itself. What is free speech? What are its limits, if any? What of cancel culture? When has policing speech gone too far? What kind of speech legitimates shunning a person and their voice from public discourse perhaps on a permanent basis?

            These are difficult questions that, if we are honest, evade clear cut answers. I certainly have my thoughts and opinions and I’m willing to bet you do as well. However, I think lost in these conversations about what we can say is the opportunity for a conversation about what we should say and how we should say it.

            The quote above comes from an Islamic mystic from the 13th Century called Rumi. I think of this quote often when I am gearing up for hard or challenging conversations. They are good words to live by if we can. In our hyper polarized culture and a world of instantaneous connectivity his words become even more relevant. In our speech both public and private we should allow that speech to pass through these three gates.

1. Is what I am about to say true? Did I fact check the meme? Is it a fair characterization of a person’s motives and goals? Am I contributing to the spread of misinformation even unintentionally just because what I want to say sounds or feels true?

2. Is what I am about to say necessary? Why am I choosing to speak? Will it be helpful or illuminating? Will it positively contribute to the discourse or add something of value to the conversation? Am I saying something just to be hurtful or rub something in?

3. Is what I am about to say kind? This is not to say we cannot speak hard truths to one another. After all we hear in the book of James to “speak the truth in love”. We are not to shy away from criticisms or things that might be difficult for someone to hear. However, we should do it in a way that does not involve spite, character assassination, or personal (ad hominem) attacks that are not relevant to what we are trying to communicate. Is what I am saying for the good of my audience whether of one or many?

This framework is worthy of our consideration in these days in which fruitful and respectful conversation can be challenging to put it mildly. Our own Martin Luther of course was no stranger to this. Yet he knew it was essential to curbing sin and harm. He puts the task of true, necessary and kind speech this way in his explanation of the 8th commandment barring false witness levied against our neighbor:

We should fear and love God so that we do not tell lies about our neighbor, betray him, slander him, or hurt his reputation, but defend him, speak well of him, and interpret their actions in the best possible light.

We would also do well in all of this to remember also the words of Paul to the church at Corinth: “All things are permitted,” but not all things are beneficial. “All things are permitted,” but not all things build up. (1Corinthians 10:23). Just because we can say a thing does not mean that we should. What is lawful and what is right does and should overlap and it often does, but not always. Life is hashed out in hues of gray.

As we enter the season of Lent, a time of somber reflection on our actions and inactions we would do well to “take up” this practice of gated speech rather than “give up” chocolate or caffeine or to attempt a hard reset on a new year’s resolution. Blessings on your Lenten journey in the coming months and the renewal of Easter beyond.

As Ever in Christ,

Pastor CJ