Wednesday, November 25, 2020 – A Wisdom in Speaking

Jesus Talks to His DisciplesEvery so often, a line of scripture hits me like a bolt of lightning. That happened in today’s Gospel selection, from Luke, with a verse that I’d read for years before it made an impression.

But let me back up a moment. I’ve been writing for my entire adult life, and a while before then. (I won my first significant award when I was 15 years old.) I’m a man who likes to put my thoughts into words. I think a lot. In my spare time, I’ve studied Catholic apologetics (the art of defending the faith against all manner of believers). I’ve come up with my own arguments about many aspects of our faith . . . like my thoughts on many Protestants’ favorite verse, John 3:16.

So if someone wants to question my faith, belittle the Church, or speak ill of our Lord and Savior, I feel like I’m in good shape to defend the life and legacy of Jesus. I don’t go itching for a fight, but I am confident in my ability to at least hold my own in an argument about my beliefs.

However, today’s selection from the Gospel of Luke has made me question that. Just before this text, Christ talks about signs of the end times. Then today’s reading has Jesus’ revelations about the coming persecution: “They will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. It will lead to your giving testimony.”

Although referring to the end times, these words have been just as prescient throughout much of Christian history. We have been seized. We have been imprisoned. Many of us have, in some sense, been lead to giving testimony . . . that is, to defend the faith with our words.

The next line, however, is what resonated so strongly with me: “Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.”

You are not to prepare your defense beforehand. Jesus will give you a wisdom in speaking.

In studying apologetics, crafting arguments, and studying my Bible, I’ve been preparing defenses beforehand for years. Have I been doing it wrong?

In a way, yes.

We all know people who are too rehearsed and self-assured in their answers. They’re not listening; they’re waiting for you to stop talking so they can deliver the next zinger, drop another bit of “wisdom,” offer their pre-scripted rebuttal.

Do those efforts convince anyone?

Has your worldview ever been changed when someone offered a rote witticism? It’s a big world; I’m sure it’s happened to someone somewhere. But it’s much more common and likely to sway those who disagree with us through heartfelt words or deeds that arise at the spur of the moment.

I’ve taught religious education before, and I can say with certainty that there have been times when all the preparation and contemplation I’ve spent before class didn’t do nearly as much as the Spirit giving me the words I didn’t know existed on the spur of the moment.

This sentiment goes against our social-media age. We post pictures online with funny sayings that express our thoughts or encapsulate our beliefs. Those posts usually aren’t meant to be the beginning of a conversation, but the end of one; they’re a badge, meant to encourage those who believe the same as we do while often driving those away who disagree with us.

But the Spirit doesn’t work from a script; rather, the Spirit gives the words we need, in the situations where we need them. I would imagine that most things we say with the Spirit’s guidance have never been said exactly that way before; I know when I’ve taught class and said the right thing and wondered where those words came from, I’ve often had a hard time rephrasing or repeating what I said later.

The Spirit does not want me to prepare my defense beforehand. The Spirit prefers I listen . . . listen with my ears and my heart. Then, when the moment is right, the Spirit can provide me with the wisdom I need, such that the one I’m talking with “will be powerless to resist or refute.”

This doesn’t mean the work I’ve done in thinking, reading, and writing has been in vain; having a variety of facts and ideas provides fertile soil for the Spirit to grow its guidance anew. But, ultimately, it’s not about me defending the faith; it’s about the Spirit spreading the Good News and inspiring us to do God’s will on Earth. I’m just the vessel.

If you – like me – have stuck too closely at times to a pre-scripted recipe of truth, waiting to deliver it to those who might listen, consider the possibility of forgetting what you know verbatim and instead turning your words over to the Spirit. Jesus promised that – when it mattered most – he would give all of us the wisdom we need, without preparing our defense beforehand. The essence of our faith is built on the promises of Christ; we know he is there for us, always, in all ways.

About the Author

Despite being a professional writer and editor for over 15 years, Steven Marsh is more-or-less winging it when it comes to writing about matters of faith. Steven entered the church in 2005, and since then he's been involved with various ministries, including Pre-Cana marriage prep for engaged couples, religious education for kindergarteners, and Stephen Ministry's one-on-one caregiving. Steven lives in Indiana with his wife and son. Despite having read the entirety of the Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, he's still surprised at elements he rediscovers or reflects upon in new ways. The more Steven learns about the faith, the less he feels he knows; he's keen to emphasize that any mistakes are his own.

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13 Comments

  1. Thank you for encouraging us to gain knowledge through reading , to listen then let the Holy Spirit guide our tongues to speak.
    Amen.

  2. I am encouraged to delve deeper into Catholic apologetics and pray for wisdom when I must speak of my faith. Thank you, Steven.

  3. “The Spirit gives the words in the situations where we need them”. Done! I think this is what Jesus is talking about. You are amazing Mr Marsh…in you words and your Spirit. Thank you

  4. Thank you Steven! Fabulous reflection 🙏
    Listen with your ears and your heart 🙏 so beautiful.
    God bless you always
    Maria.

  5. listening is such a lost art! Answering and engaging with people who don’t think exactly as we do is challenging but knowing the right words will be given to us when we need them is so beautiful! Thanks for a great reflection!

  6. Very enriching reflection Steven, well done. Humility can certainly play its part, when listening with your ears and your heart. Sometimes even a sense of humor is part of fruitful discussion. Thank you

  7. Thank you for today’s reflection! Love it! Today, I will do my best to listen with my heart and ears and allow the Holy Spirit to move me. Amen!

  8. Thanks Steven for an inspiring reflection. There is a lot of wisdom in there! Yes, God will give us the wisdom and right words when needed. Come Holy Spirit!

  9. I needed to hear your reflection tonight, Steven. It’s beautiful how The Holy Spirit is working through you.

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