We usually speak of the gift of the Spirit at Pentecost as the remarkable ability of the Apostles to speak in languages other than their own. Crowds of Jewish pilgrims were gathered in Jerusalem from countless different nations and lands. When the tongues of something like fire appeared over the Apostles amid all the wonders of the occasion, they suddenly spoke in foreign languages.

The crowds were amazed because each visitor heard the Apostles speaking his or her own language! The rough Galilean fishermen were heard speaking in different languages and were understood by visitors and pilgrims from every nation (Acts 2:6.8.11)!

The stunning event of Pentecost included both speaking and understanding. To be in a distant land and to suddenly experience a complete stranger speaking in such a way that you understand perfectly is remarkable. The gift of the Spirit at Pentecost included the ability to understand the message in your own language.

If someone is speaking my own language, they use words I understand and express ideas I can comprehend. They bridge the gap and address the hopes and fears, the dreams and concerns which I carry in my heart wherever I go. They are able to speak to my deepest needs, and I can suddenly understand their message.

One of the great challenges of life today is that of speaking the language of youth in search of happiness, hope and heroes. But weary parents may need to hear a different language; they live with an opposite set of worries and hopes.

A fascinating exercise experienced at a recent workshop on preaching included the distribution of slips of paper, each with a brief description of an individual attending Mass any Sunday of the year ... a child bullied at school, a man who can’t find work, a single mother overwhelmed by the burden of caring for her children, a person experiencing racial discrimination at work, a young woman suddenly filled with doubts about the existence of God, a person newly married, an elderly man worried about making ends meet, etc. Each character in the exercise was asked to describe what he or she wanted to hear at Mass ... comfort, challenge, encouragement, hope.

The miracle of Pentecost is that the Spirit continues to inspire members of the Church to speak in a language that others can truly hear at the very core of their being.

For downloadable versions of this article, visit this link.