If others know us as Christian and Catholic, when we speak, we speak representing that faith and God's Church and by extension God Himself. Every word out of our mouths is a word by which the truth that we live will be weighed.
The entire third chapter of the Letter of James warns us that loose speaking is the enemy of God's work. If we speak loosely about people, events, or things, people will see that in us. They will say, “Ah, so this is Christianity”. It isn't fair, but it is the way that people are. No, we're not always in good moods; we're not always the best representatives of Jesus. But when we speak and people listen, they are listening to a representative of Jesus. For other people we are Jesus, our words are His words.
This is not to say that we shouldn't talk, but only that we should, through prayer and requesting help from the Holy Spirit, speak only what is edifying or helpful to those in need. We needn't always be mouthing empty pieties, but we also needn't be trash-talking our neighbors, our government (well, maybe just a little bit), or for that matter, anything. We need to listen with the Spirit within us and respond as He dictates - with counsel and advice or with joy and merriment. After all, Jesus did attend the festivities at Cana (John 2:1-11), and there's no need to think He's always solemn or somber.
I remember an encounter I had a few years ago that I think illustrates how our words and actions can reveal who we represent if Jesus is truly within us. As I was coming out of a restaurant after dinner, I noticed a young man coming straight at me, with that unmistakable demeanor that I knew was going to lead to a request for money. “Uh-oh”, I thought, “here it comes!” My standard line for avoiding panhandlers was always, “I’m so sorry, but I don’t carry cash on me, ever since I was robbed at gunpoint.” It’s a true statement, but the reality is one doesn’t really have to carry cash to get just about anything one needs these days. Just about everybody takes credit or debit cards, so my excuse to those in need was more self-serving than Christian.
Anyway, this guy walked up and asked for a few dollars to get something to eat. I thought to myself, “Why not? I’ll pay for his dinner then leave. It’s only about 10 bucks. Maybe he won’t bother anyone else if I help him.” Again, that was a self-serving excuse to talk myself into doing something I ought to do. So I turned around and opened the door for him saying, “After you, sir.” He thanked me and we walked up to the counter to pay for his meal.
The girl behind the counter smiled at me (she was the same girl who had rung my dinner up earlier), excused herself, and got on the intercom to call the manager. When the manager arrived, he didn’t greet me but gave me the once-over and said to my guest, “I told you you’re not allowed in here! Please leave!” Then the manager, without even acknowledging me went back to wherever he was when he was called.
The girl then turned to me and said, “I’m sorry, but he was caught in her just a little while ago trying to steal some food.” I was very tempted to point out that the reason he was stealing food was probably because he was hungry and broke, but I didn’t. I don’t know why I didn’t stick up for the guy. (Yes, I do. It’s because I was embarrassed at that point). Jesus would have told a parable or something to make it a teaching moment for the manager. All I did was to ask the girl, “Is there somewhere else in this shopping center where we can get this young man a meal?”
She shrugged her shoulders apologetically and shook her head no. I told my new acquaintance that I noticed some fast food establishments on the other side of the shopping center and asked him if he would mind if I bought him a dinner at one of those places. Obviously, he never heard the expression ‘beggars can’t be choosers’, because he said, “I was hoping for a Mexican meal.” I replied that we might get lucky, but I was a little pressed for time, so it would have to be whatever we found. We started walking towards the restaurants. He asked me, “You want to walk over there?” I may have felt generous, but not careless. Giving a car ride to a total stranger who you know has recently tried to steal and has the smell of alcohol on his breath is not a prudent decision. I said, “Yeah. I need to walk off my dinner.” He replied that he understood, although I could tell that he didn’t.
He asked my name. I told him my first name. He introduced himself, but I can’t remember it. He touched my shoulder and said something about giving me positive energy or something and asking me if I felt it. I wondered if I had bitten off more than I could chew with this “dinner guest.” Pun intended.
He asked if I was religious. I replied that I am Catholic. He grew silent for a few minutes until we got into the restaurant. I don’t remember which one it was, but it was a chain fast-food joint. He asked the clerk if they had any Mexican food. “Nope, just hamburgers and chicken sandwiches, french fries and drinks,” came the reply. He asked me what he should order. I told him he could get whatever he wanted. He said, “You’re the only person who has talked to me like a human being or helped me in a long time, and you didn’t hesitate to use your credit card. God bless you!” I thanked him and said, “I’m just glad I could help”. We said our goodbyes and I left him to enjoy what could possibly have been his first real meal in some time. As I reflected on the episode that evening, I was so filled with gratitude that Christ had let me see Him face to face, and that He had also let the needy young man see Him, as well.
It was a good reminder that we need to let our words and actions reveal our hearts and He who dwells in them.
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