Guarding the Tongue — and the Power of Words: Respecting the “Good” Names and Sacred Beliefs of Others

For millions of Catholics and Christians around the world, today is Palm Sunday, which marks the beginning of Holy Week, which leads to Easter Sunday.

For millions of Jews around the world, Passover also begins this week.

As a Catholic and a Christian, and as a friend to countless members of the Jewish faith, I am making a special request.

For just this week, please do not “Take the Lord’s Name in Vain.”

If I stub my toe or get gnarled in traffic, I may utter at times a not-so-encouraging-word or two. And I’m not proud of that.

But I try never to “Take the Lord’s Name in Vain,” and I cringe when I hear others speak it, sometimes willy-nilly, without any respect for the countless faithful millions who hold sacred and dear the “Lord’s Name.”

It’s one thing to use a “vulgar” or “curse word.”

But words of “profanity” are of a different nature, entirely.

“Profanity” is used when “taking the Lord’s Name in Vain.”

Consider this: whether or not you believe in any form of Good-Higher-Power, you certainly must believe in Love, yes?