Solemnity of All Saints
DO YOU REFRESH OR RIDICULE?
“Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you...” — Matthew 5:11
When I was a kid, I was never good in sports. So I dreaded Physical Education. Whenever I had P.E. class, I always wished that I’d get sick that day. Because in almost every class, kids would ridicule me. It didn’t matter if it was basketball or volleyball or soccer. I was always so uncoordinated.
When I was nine years old, my P.E. was baseball. And I was even more terrified.
True enough, at practice, I couldn’t catch the ball — even if I had an oversized glove. I was so bad at catching, the teacher assigned me to the farthest spot in the field. And with his booming voice, he told everyone, “Try to hit your ball towards that kid over there,” pointing to me. “Because he won’t catch the ball, and you’ll get a home run!” He laughed loudly, slapping his knee many times. And all the kids laughed with him.
I pretended to laugh, too. But my little heart was crying inside. For the next 15 years, I never joined any sport.
Be careful with ridicule. Be careful with negative humor. Here’s my realization: Nothing hurts more than words. Nothing can be more hurting than humiliation. Bo Sanchez (bosanchez@kerygmafamily.com)
Reflection: On this All Saints Day, use your words to upbuild, not destroy.
Tame my tongue, Lord, that I may speak only good words to others.
All Saints, pray for us.
No comments:
Post a Comment