Pentecost Sunday, A May 31, 2020
Fr. Albert St. John the Evangelist, Jeanerette
Video of Mass: https://youtu.be/ZU7ExFUPT4g
“Do you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth?” That’s a quote from a comedy in the 90s when I was a kid. Kids today might know the movie, but more likely they’ve only seen the meme that uses that scene. Memes are interesting. Short clips, iconic pictures, or really great lines sometimes transcend their original context to become a standalone piece of the online culture. What’s interesting about them is what they say about their source.
You see, not just any line or picture can make it to that level of fame. It has to be either really funny, really catchy, really universal, or some combination. The line “do you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth,” besides being kind of funny, is generally relevant because everyone, everyone has had the experience of not being understood. Even if the original context is more about anger, the deeper value of the question is the helplessness it reveals. If you do not understand me, I am alone. If you do not understand me, it will be very hard for us to work together and get anything done.
And that’s the point. One of the options for the readings on the night before Pentecost tells us why. It’s the story of the tower of Babel. In ancient times, the human race spoke a single language. In their arrogance, they tried to use this easy communication to glorify themselves and set God aside. So, God scattered their languages to humble them, to remind them of just how little they can accomplish on their own.
And the curse of Babel lives with us as long as mankind remains arrogant. Google estimates 6,500 different languages in existence today. Most of those will never be spoken by more than a few thousand people. Fortunately for us, English is one of the most universally used languages. On top of that, translation programs are pretty impressive. And yet, for all the steps we’ve taken towards universal communication, having the same language isn’t enough.
Just look at the United States where most people speak the same language, but really don’t speak the same language. Put republicans and democrats in the same room and you’ll see what I mean. Bring up important words like “love, rights, dignity, freedom, equality, marriage,” and “happiness” and you’ll see it. Or spend 5 minutes on social media and see just how many people talk past each other, even in the same language.
What can we do? Nothing. The reality is that misunderstanding, and language barriers will be with us until the end of time. We can’t do anything about it. But God can. That’s part of the meaning of today’s solemnity of Pentecost. Upon receiving the Holy Spirit, the Apostles are able to instantly overcome language barriers and proclaim the gospel to everyone in Jerusalem at the time. Pentecost overcomes babel, and thousands are converted by a single homily from St. Peter.
Yet babel continues. Right now, the country is in turmoil over how we handle the virus and it seems like no one can communicate clearly what is going on and what needs to be done. The death of a man in Minnesota has escalated the ongoing battle for justice and equality. Depending upon a person’s race, political preferences, and personal experiences, they can mean wildly different things when they talk about the same events. But we think we’re communicating because we happened to speak the same language. Even worse than the curse of babel, is sin and error, which obscures not just our words, but our ability to perceive the real meaning behind those words.
Does that mean Pentecost failed? No, because, like babel, Pentecost continues too. The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, did not just come once to the apostles, but continues in each and every baptized believer who allows him room. St. Paul says very clearly in the second reading that “each individual” is “given the manifestation of the Spirit… for some benefit.” What is your manifestation of the Spirit?
This manifestation isn’t always or even usually the spoken language. Yes, the gifts of tongues is a real thing, but the Holy Spirit conquers humanity’s division with more than words. He also gives gifts of knowledge and wisdom to recognize what’s missing in communicating even in the same language. The gifts of healing and miracles to prove our words. The gifts of prophecy and discernment to elevate words beyond their natural limits. The gifts of administration and hospitality to speak with actions rather than words… and there are more.
Yet, underneath all of this is the greatest triumph over division possible, the triumph of love. Hatred, resentment, fear, and isolation drive humanity apart, but the Holy Spirit conquers all of that with love at work in and through Christians using his supernatural gifts. By love, I mean to want and to work for what is truly best for another person, without seeking personal gain.
“Do you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth?” Do you understand the words from the mouth of God? Love one another. Love them when they don’t understand you. Love them when they ignore you, persecute you, or kill you. But even before it gets to that point, love them by learning to recognize the gift God has given you for that very reason, and then put it to use.
I didn’t make up the example gifts I just listed. Administration, tongues, healing, prophecy… these and others are rooted in scripture and tradition as the gifts of the Holy Spirit. You do have one or more of these gifts. They aren’t magic, but they are supernatural, and they are real. The world is constantly coming apart, suffering from the wound of babel that divides our language and the tricks of Satan who obscures our understanding and our humanity. It needs the continuation of Pentecost and that continuation takes place in each of us to overcome that.
In the near future, I hope to offer some education and training on these gifts, these charisms of the Holy Spirit. In the meantime, pray to receive the Spirit more deeply today. Pray to recognize and use the gifts he has given to you and to have the faith and courage to use them. Pray, “Lord, send out your spirit and renew the face of the earth.”