God's most dangerous word!
The most dangerous word God ever says is Adam. All by itself, it is no more than a pile of dust - nothing to be concerned about, really - but by following it with the words for image and dominion, God sifts divinity into that dust, endowing it with things that belong to God alone. When God is through with it, this dust will bear the divine likeness. When God is through with it, this dust will exercise God's own dominion - not by flexing its muscles but by using its tongue. - When God is Silent: Divine Language Beyond Words by Barbara Brown Taylor
It is this premise that makes you and me the most beloved creation of God. In each of us is this divinity, which is the realm of God alone, shared without conditions but pure love. It also shows how powerful our words are and can be if used with prudence and grace. There is nothing that should come out of our mouths that is not properly thought through. There should be no words that come out of mind because our dominion is the same as that of God, but our wisdom is not as powerful and expansive as that of God, sadly. That's why using our words thoughtfully after thinking through them is key to the success of relationships, growth, and change in us.
Until God gave power to the pile of dust through His words, we did not come into existence. We were simply a pile of dust shaped in human form. Then God took a chance on us and gave us life, the same that moves and beats in Him. This tells us how powerful our words are, as we are given the same power to bring things into existence.
So, as a spiritual habit, if not necessary, use no words. If not necessary to talk, we should be quiet and listen. Because silence is God's language and so should be ours. Listening is God's affirmation of love for you, so should be ours!
Fr. Jos+
