Wednesday, 11/24/21 – A Wisdom in Speaking

Jesus Talks to His Disciples(Daniel 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28; Daniel 3:62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67; Luke 21:12-19)

Every so often, a line of scripture hits me like a bolt of lightning. That happened in today’s Gospel selection from Luke. I know I’ve read it before, but it never clicked until now.

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 a fair bit . . . 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.

Today’s Responsorial Psalm – from Daniel – drove the point home for me. It’s a simple repetition:

Sun and moon, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
Stars of heaven, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
Every shower and dew, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

And so on.

There are no great arguments there; it’s just a comforting, little-changing text. Reading it to those who oppose me will not change their minds. However, the act of reading it helps me clear my thoughts, open my heart, and remind my soul of the Lord – praise and exalt him above all forever.

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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11 Comments

  1. Wow! So true, l can attest to this. When it matters most, God gives you the words to speak. Thanks and be blessed.

  2. Listen with your ears and your heart and the Spirit will provide the wisdom you need…what great advice! I am guilty of having pre-scripted answers designed to impress or shut down others….Thank you for your incredible writing Steve and Happy Thanksgiving to all ACM readers and writers!

  3. Similarly as grace is given at a time of need, not stored in a tank reserved for us to take a gallon or two when needed, the right “words” needed works the same way? Both of these examples, grace and words, given at the appropriate time by the Father, Son, and/or Holy Spirit, should give us so much confidence and security, that we need only to step out in faith at the appointed time, and the rest shall be taken care of. It surely takes the fear of such situations!

  4. Steven,
    Your reflection cleared up a lot of confusion in my brain about that passage. Makes so much sense…. Listen with our heart and allow Jesus to answer before we show our own words.

  5. Beautifully stated, Steven. A reminder to have faith in the Spirit and not in our own understanding. Another way to remain humble. Happy Thanksgiving!

  6. Listening with your heart and asking God for guidance is where wisdom comes from—that’s what I heard from your writing, thank you.

    A Catholic speaker (sorry forgot her name) suggests this prayer for the right words:

    Come Holy Spirit
    Come Now
    Come as You Wish

  7. A great reflection Steven. Thanks for reminding us to trust the Holy Spirit to be our defense at all times. He never fails.
    God bless.

  8. Thanks Steven, I enjoy reading your reflections.
    You being a skilled writer I can appreciate you getting thrown by end of todays Gospel “do not prepare what you are to say ahead of time”.
    I think we most of us like to be prepared for anything that might pass our way. Most of the time I don’t like surprises, I’m guessing most of us do not like surprises. Unless, it’s a pleasant surprise.

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