Dear Friends,
Perhaps you have noticed we live in an increasingly crude culture? Not only in the youth culture and media does one find it hard to avoid crude language and foul words, in fact those who refrain from such abusive language and behavior often stand out. As a Catholic school we need to think about what kind of language we use and how we are perceived. Scripture strongly endorses this point.
Matthew 15 states “It is not what enters into the mouth that defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man." In other words it is by our actions we are judged. St. James is even more explicit for he states “Out of the same mouth comes praise and cursing” (James 3:10)
John Paul the Great had a saying which I will paraphrase, “ Our actions both determine and reveal who we are”. Thus, if I want to be patient, I act patiently, if I want to be kind, I act kindly and if I want polite I act politely. It is quite simple to understand, but if you have ever struggled with a bad habit, it is sometimes hard to do. We need each other’s help if we want to be a culture of kindness and respect. So let us all encourage the students at Holy Family to speak to each other in a way that reflects who they are, to refrain from cursing and foul language and instead speak the way they wish to be spoken to (or perhaps better). As a final note I would like to end with a passage from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians-
“So be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and handed himself over for us as a sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma. Immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be mentioned among you, as is fitting among holy ones, no obscenity or silly or suggestive talk, which is out of place, but instead, thanksgiving. (Eph. 5:25)
Pax Christi!
Timothy Gallic
Principal, Holy Family High School
303-410-1411
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