A Note From the Pastor: August 10, 2025

I must confess, I tend to bristle when I hear people in public say the all too common ‘expressions’, “Oh my G*d!” or “Jesus Christ!”. Sometimes we see it expressed in our social media platforms as simply, “OMG!” Admittedly, why I don’t appreciate it is the fact that it’s inconsiderate to people who give regard, not only to the Holy Name of God, but also the Commandments He has given us.

In a culture in which it seems people look for something to be offended about, is this just one more thing? They’re just words, right? On some level, I get it. It’s true that we can too easily be offended.

The Second Commandment given to Moses was “You shall not invoke the name of the LORD, your God, in vain” (Ex 20:7, Dt 5:11). What does that mean exactly? It means that it is pointless or without purpose. Therefore, God asks that we not say His name (and yes, that includes the name of Jesus), unless we are either actually talking to or about God.

I remember learning how pious Jews, in their reverence for God’s name, would not even write the name of God, in complete form, on paper, for fear that the paper would be discarded, and thus the Holy Name of God would be thrown in the garbage. They would write it with at least one letter missing, such as L_rd.

I realize that for some, it’s a deeply ingrained habit: “I don’t want to say it, but it just comes out!” I can appreciate that, but we can fight against that. Whenever we use it irreverently on accident, perhaps say a quick prayer to restore due reverence to the Holy Name. But also, know that you can adapt to using a substitute word.

Yes, it’s just a word, but I believe our words strongly shape our consciousness and outlook, including our regard and reverence for God. Imagine if your name was an offensive swearword or was regarded as an insult. It’s just a word, right? No, more than that, our names bear, in a sense, our identity.

I don’t have an easy solution for how to politely ask someone to cease using the name of God in vain. It’s awkward. But in the same way we might gently ask a person not to use insensitive words associated with sexual orientation or insulting racial terms, it should also be okay to politely make that request.

On a different note, a reminder for this week: Monday, Aug 11th, the Feast day for St. Philomena and Friday, August 15th, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (a holy day of obligation). Please refer to the schedule at the parish entrance or in the bulletin.

Yours in Christ,

Father Todd O. Strange