By FRANK REMKIEWICZ
Columnist
Well, not exactly. Actually, yes, I mean you. But I also mean all of us who call ourselves Christians. Do you remember the movie, “It’s A Wonderful Life”, starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed? George Bailey (Stewart’s character) is emotionally pounded by a series of depression era events that lead to a telephone call by George Bailey to his daughter’s (Zsu Zsu) schoolteacher. George says some awful things (by 1941 standards) to the teacher and then to the teacher’s husband. Shortly thereafter, the teacher’s husband and George meet in a bar. When the teacher’s husband discovers that he has met George Bailey, the husband promptly punches George Bailey in the mouth. In my mind, the telephone should be classed as one of the first “social media”. In this instance, George is not speaking with the teacher face-to-face but instead communicating over the telephone from a distance. That distance, coupled with the fact that the two people are not face-to-face, allows George to say things that perhaps George would not have said in that awful manner.
It seems we have taken that ability to denigrate, belittle, curse at, and generally say things we would not say were two (or more) of us were gathered in the same place. This issue comes up frequently these days, but “struck home” recently when I read an article in the October 8, 2025 issue of The Oakdale Leader about an incident involving a social media post. In the Gospel of Matthew, 12:36-37, Jesus warns that people will be held accountable for every careless word they speak, underscoring the weight of our words. “36 But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” Clearly Jesus expects us to speak with respect. We can certainly speak truth to power, but cheap shots, ugly comments, and personal attacks are not appropriate, and God will hold each of us accountable for our words. In the gospel of Luke, Jesus paraphrases the second great commandment. Jesus advocates for treating others as one would like to be treated, which implies speaking positively about others. (Note: I have added the start of the verses for better context) We find in Luke 6:27-28, 31, 27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.” In years past, Riverbank High School had a motto for its students to live by. It was “Give respect, get respect.” Jesus bumped that up to “give respect”. We are all created in the image and likeness of God. Always remember that whether you are on your social media account or face-to-face with someone, you are talking to a person created in the image and likeness of God.
Ever look at your hand when you are commenting about a person’s characteristics, quality, or behavior? One finger is pointing at the person you are speaking about, and four fingers are pointing back at you. Looking back to the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus advises against judging others, suggesting that the measure used against others will be used against us. “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back”.
Jesus turned the world on its head. Jesus brought a revolution to our world. Jesus brought radical love to all of us. When I was a principal of an elementary school, I would often need to correct a student’s behavior. I would tell the student that while I cannot change the way you feel, I can change the way you behave. Jesus is saying, change your behavior and the way you feel. Bring Jesus’s radical love into your heart. If all our actions arise from this radical love, it is not possible to abuse social media in a way that denigrates someone. We will only share the good news of Jesus Christ that we are all and always loved. We must share that love.
Frank Remkiewicz is an area resident and contributes a monthly column focused primarily on faith and religion. He can be reached at fremkiewicz@gmail.com. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
