Reading I: Acts 2:1-11
Reading II: 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13
GOSPEL: John 20:19-23
Modern Tongues?
On Pentecost Sunday we begin to move away from the image of Jesus in the world and start to understand his presence as that of the Holy Spirit. And just as the earliest Christians were able to have their message understood by all, the unifying strength of the Spirit can do the same for us today.
The Spirit Unifies
Those early Christians who were gathered together on Pentecost and experienced the Holy Spirit for the first time found that they were able to speak their message of hope and salvation and the people listening heard the words in their native language. Speaking in tongues was an example of the unifying power of the Holy Spirit, and demonstrated how God’s love extends to all peoples.
In a way, I have had experiences that are similar to those of the early Christians. I have been in situations where the Spirit has truly moved me, and I have been able to share Jesus’ message clearly with people who basically speak a different language – teenagers.
Foreigners in Our Homes
I have been involved in youth ministry for over 30 years, and as any parent of a teenager can attest, our young people often seem to speak a foreign tongue. No matter what we say, or how we say it, the message just doesn’t seem to get through.
But when the Spirit gets involved, it’s a whole other story! The thoughts and ideas just seem to roll off my tongue, in words that the teens understand, can identify with, and are able to truly take to heart. During those moments, I am truly speaking their language – their foreign tongue.
We all have people in our lives who, at times, seem to speak a foreign tongue. For various reasons – the most common being a difference in perspective – we just can’t see eye-to-eye with them. With the help of the Holy Spirit, however, all of the excuses should be taken away. The unifying power of the Spirit will allow us to overcome our differences and share the truth of God’s love.
Think of it as an alternate form of speaking in tongues.
Life Applications:
How has the Spirit helped you share Jesus’ love with others?
Who do you have difficulty communicating with? What makes it so difficult?
Who do you communicate with easily? What makes it so easy?
Check out the REAL Word Podcast for Pentecost Sunday (Cycle C):
Original article by Brandon Jubar, 2004-2022.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.