A few years ago, perched on my lofted dorm room bed, I was scrolling through Instagram to find that the guy I spent nearly all my teenage years pining over was in a new relationship.
I promptly descended into the rabbit hole of social media-stalking, looking for all the reasons I was better than her, so that I could send him a harshly worded message about why he was making the greatest mistake of his life. In my experience of rejection and abandonment, I did exactly that, and I will never forget his response: “You’re the most critical person I know.”
Not exactly the response I was hoping for. And it stung.
Sister, I knew in a lot of ways, he was right. I have always had a sharp tongue and a decisive nature, and it has led me into more uncharitable moments than I can say. I am so concerned with being right, and being heard, that I fail to first turn to the Father with my thoughts.
In today’s Gospel, we witness Jesus preach about how He does not speak on His own, but is entirely obedient to sharing the words of His Father. Jesus, perfect in all His ways, drew from the Father before using His own voice.
An obedient, yet gentle Messenger, Jesus is constantly teaching us that His ministry only exists to build the Kingdom of God, to spread the Word of eternal life.
His docility to the Father moves me to reflect on how I am using my own voice, both in person and through my phone, as each presents a different struggle for me.
Am I using valuable community time with my friends to gossip? Have I submitted the full weight of my feelings and desires to the Father before typing them out and hitting send? Am I making this post to feel vindicated about something? How is my speech building the Kingdom and speaking to the faithfulness of God?
Jesus, I pray that our words would only ever glorify You, that our platforms would become Yours, that You would inspire gentleness in us. Amen.
Jesus, perfect in all His ways, drew from the Father before using His own voice. // @sarahericksonn Click To TweetWe aren’t called to withdraw from social media as Catholics but bring forth the New Evangelization even into all things tech! Have you subscribed to the devotions or shared the subscription link with a friend?
Sarah Erickson is a politics pre-law major at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. Born and raised in Arizona, she finds great joy in mountains, lattes, American history, and the piano. She is constantly discovering Christ’s wild love in the little things. You can find out more about her here.
“Am I making this post to feel vindicated about something?”
Oh how I relate to this! I write on a platform called Medium and am a dismal failure in terms of making $$. Iknow that the so-called followers mean nothing. They might like one story and react and never read anything I write after that.
So I write these “poor me” stories. Vidicating my failure.
Thanks for this reminder.
I also want to watch my words. But it’s hard to do so especially since i have such a short temper.
Praying for you right now!
Thank you, Sarah, for your honesty and courage in admitting what you did in your post. I feel we are kindred spirits, as I struggle with much of the same! I am learning to take things (thoughts, words, actions) to God first, for vetting. Obedience and docility to HIS Will is key. It’s a never-ending struggle but well worth it. God bless you!
I see myself so much in your words. Thank you for sharing this beautiful truth. The questions you pose and the example of Jesus are wonderful exhortations to charity and virtue. Thank you!
Praise the Lord!
Jesus, I pray that our words would only ever glorify You, that our platforms would become Yours, that You would inspire gentleness in us. Amen.
Thank you for writing this and being so vulnerable. I’m struggling every day with my two children, and I know that I can do better. My words can sound harsh and I stuff in all my emotions to the point of blowing up. Definitely not building up God’s kingdom in this way. I’m praying more for Mary to be a mother to me in the hardest moments, and to seek time to be with Him more, especially when I know I need to take a step back and breathe.
Thank you again.
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Judging by all the comments, you hit a nerve, especially with me. It’s so easy to be judgmental and harsh, not seeing the ‘log’
in our own eye! This wonderful website has deepened my Faith
life. . .thank you.
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