May 23, 2021, Homily for the Solemnity of Pentecost.

 

Readings: Acts 2:1-11; Gal. 5:116-25; John 20:19-23

Speaking Our Native (Tongue) Language

1.     As we celebrate the solemnity of Pentecost today, we read these words from the first reading: “When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the spirit enable them to proclaim.” (Acts 2:1-4). Today is the birthday of the church. We often think that the Holy Spirit came into existence on the day of Pentecost. That is far from the truth. God is eternally Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and manifests Himself as such. But on the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit became the dominant reality in the life of the early Church. It was the source of all guidance. The leaders of the Church were men of the Spirit. It was the source of courage and power, the counselor, the comforter and a solace in times of difficulties. We can rightly say that the early Church was a Spirit-filled Church and that was the source of its power.

2.     “There were three great Jewish festivals to which every male Jew living within twenty miles of Jerusalem was legally bound to attend – the Passover, Pentecost and the Feast of Tabernacles. Pentecost means “The Fiftieth,” and another name for Pentecost was “The Feast of Weeks.” It was so called because it fell on the fiftieth day, a week of weeks, after the Passover. At least as many came to the Feast of Pentecost as came to the Passover. That explains the roll of countries mentioned in this chapter; never was there a more international crowd in Jerusalem than at the time of Pentecost.” Pentecost commemorated the giving of the Law to Moses on Mount Sinai. So, it was a holiday for all and the crowds on the streets would be greater than ever. It was on that day the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles. The disciples experienced the power of the Spirit flooding their beings in a way they never had before. “All filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.” (Act 2:4).

3.     In verse 11 we read “Yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God.” With the coming of the Spirit the crowd heard the apostles, for the first time, speaking out openly about the mighty acts of God. They were ready to take the gospel to the ends of the earth and witness to the resurrection of Christ. With the power given them by the Spirit, they were able to preach the word of God in a way that struck straight to their hearts, that they could understand. The power of the Spirit gave these simple disciples a message that could reach every heart. Their chains of fear and intimidation were broken, they were free to move courageously among Jews and Gentiles alike, armed with the power of the word to set the captives free and preach a year of favor to the downtrodden.

4.     The disciples being understood by all who gathered is indicative that the ancient tragedy of Babel (Gen. 11:1-9) is now reversed. The people at Babel had arrogantly tried to “make a name” for themselves by building a tower to heavens – symbolizing the human attempt to see power, wealth, and security without any reference to God. In consequence God confounded the universal human language into many different languages, which made it impossible for them to complete that tower. At Pentecost, the Spirit-given ability of Jesus’s disciples to speak in various languages signifies that God is beginning to overcome human divisions. We too received the spirit at baptism. The Spirit gave us the power to speak words of wisdom and understanding that should be understood by all who hear us. The Spirit empowered us to do great things for God, to break the bonds of sin and division and bring about unity, peace and love. Yes “No one can say ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit.” (1 Cor. 12:3). Paul reminds us that “God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control.” (2 Tim. 1:7). Have our Spirit grown dull and lukewarm? Why has the Spirit not burned the bad habits of our live and sow the seed of love in our hearts?

5.     The Spirit is God’s gift to us. Christ tells us “If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” (Lk. 11:13). Instead of spreading gossip that hinders us from speaking our native language of love in praise of the mighty works of God, we ask the Spirit to help us be preachers of God’s marvels. Instead of proclaiming falsehood may the Spirit assist us to speak words of truth and honesty. For those who harbor strife, vengeful thoughts and hatred may the Spirit enable them to love God and their neighbors. We can only speak the language of love if we learned it from birth. Our parents must have taught us, not so much by what they say but by what they do. They must speak that language first at home with us through social interactions, relationships and the company they kept. No interpreter is needed, we must see it, feel it, practice it and then speak it.       

1.     Let us ask the Holy Spirit to come to us with his gifts of “Wisdom and understanding, counsel, strength, knowledge and fear of the Lord.” (Is. 11: 2-3). May the Spirit give us his fruit of “Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Gal.5:22-23). May the Spirit conquer the indifference in our world and help us fight the internal battles of “immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions, occasions of envy, drinking bouts, orgies and the like.” (Gal. 5:19-21). And so we pray: Come O Holy Spirit and fill the hearts of the faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of your love, send forth your Spirit and they shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth. Amen. God bless you! 

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP.