C-19 Reflection #42: Press Conference Speech
C-19 Reflection (42)
Theme: Press Conference Speech
Scripture: James 3:1-12
Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.
3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
Reflection:
There have been many interesting social/cultural/political developments across the country and around the world during the pandemic so far. Several of them are deeply concerning and others have turned into tragedies, obvious and subtle both. Still there are some emerging outcomes that seem to be a bit more promising. One specific trend that is catching our attention as becoming more hopeful is the dominant tone of the public language being practiced and portrayed in Canada.
Day after day, political, medical and business professionals are interviewed and the overall strategy is a more honest language in the service of identifying, encouraging, challenging and even blessing. Take care of your neighbours. Be kind to one another. We are in this together. Stay safe. Be patient. I know it is hard. This is heart breaking. This will pass. I don’t want to blame anyone. Help is on the way. They have been doing a great job. We need to protect our most vulnerable. We are talking everyday. I understand what you are saying.
Not wanting to stress the point beyond credulity, especially because at eight or nine weeks in to this we are beginning to witness some fraying around the edges as the predictable modes of disagreement, criticism and blame seep back in, I only want to suggest that this overall verbal pause from the usual discourse is not something we should soon forget or stop expecting. Let’s not forget that during this time in our country many of our leaders chose to employ styles of communication somewhere between that of a good coach and a concerned priest.
Two things are on my mind with this recent trend. First, I am grateful that we live in a country, imperfect and as troubled as it is, where this practice of public blessing is still a possible option, which reminds us that we are not being completely left on our own when it comes to language on our tongues. Also, the recent reminder of that option during this particular time makes me long for a day when blessing will be shaping every speech, interview and conversation. Second, I am inspired to take a personal inventory in order to better understand the dominant linguistic of my own heart. I would encourage others to do the same.
