The Oxford Dictionary has a tradition of choosing a “Word of the Year.” Because this tradition belongs to a dictionary, it has a definition:
“The Oxford Word of the Year is a word or expression that is judged to reflect the ethos,
mood, or preoccupations of the passing year, and have lasting potential as a term of cultural significance.”
What word defines 2018, according to the Dictionary? The word is….
Toxic.
No need to go to the dictionary to get the definition, and we probably also won’t have a hard time recognizing the “ethos, mood, or preoccupations” of 2018 encapsulated in that word. But, again, because this is a dictionary, there is more to know.
Oxford tells us that the word “toxic” comes from the Greek word “toxikon,” which in turn refers to poison put on the tips of arrows. That makes sense. We certainly have seen some toxic arrows fired in 2018, arrows poisoned with prejudice, name-calling, self-righteousness, insults, accusations and more. Toxic arrows are flying everywhere, and 2019 doesn’t promise to be any different.
We leave the peace of worship and head out into that toxic world. What I want you to remember is that you go out into the world armed. The toxic arrows are flying, but we have arrows of our own. We are armed with arrows of gratitude, of compassion, service, caring, and most especially of vision. We can fire those arrows, too.
Let’s not forget that we are armed. Take up the arrows you have received from this worship service, the arrows that bear the vision of community and connection. Fire back. Shoot back against the darkness. Shoot back with all you have–understanding, forgiveness, integrity, patience. Fire those arrows, and keep up the fight. Let’s dare to change this toxic world.