Feast of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-11) “What Language Do We Speak?”
Feast of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-11) “What Language Do We Speak?”
We have several ways of reading scripture. The two most common ways of reading scripture are to take scriptural stories as an historic account of what happened. Or, to look at Biblical accounts as a metaphor that represents a universal truth that can teach us about our present circumstances.
The two approaches are especially relevant when we look at some of the stories contained in the Book of Genesis. The first thing that we must understand is that the Bible wasn’t written like a novel. Parts of the Bible were written at different times in different places. Only later, were the different books of the Bible drawn together. The first stories of Genesis were written later than the rest of Genesis. The history of Israel really began with Abraham and Sarah not Adam and Eve.
What was the purpose of the religious stories that we find in the first chapters of Genesis then? The stories expound on certain basic truths concerning humanity. An example is the story of Adam and Eve. One question, among many, that this story answers is the question of where all life came from? The story of creation in Genesis answers that question. Most religious people would have the understanding that God created the world. Humans are made in the divine image.
The story from Genesis that is relevant to the Feast of Pentecost is the story of the Tower of Babel. The story has derivatives in several near eastern religions. The story of Babel occurs after the great flood. If we read the story historically ,it is about the humans wanting to become as powerful as God. People in the story try to build a tower to reach heaven so they can prove they were equal to God. In the middle of the project, as we all remember, the progress was halted because of the advent of different languages. God wanted to show people their efforts to equal to him were pure folly. God does this by confusing the people’s language.
The way to look at this in a metaphoric sense is that a division arose because the sense of a common purpose fell apart. Humans have trouble maintaining a common purpose. Power struggles, jealousy, selfishness, greed caused a failure in great projects. Unity can give way to chaos. We despair over this story. Is this the way human beings are meant to be?
The story of Babel leads to the story of Pentecost. Pentecost shows that disunity can give way to unity. The power of the Spirit can bring this about. When we read the story of the first Christian Pentecost we are struck by many questions. The Apostles charged out of the upper room energized by the Holy Spirit. When they preached, all heard, all understood. What was this common language that everyone could grasp? Was it simply a matter of words?
We could look at it another way. Human beings have a common language which is the language of the heart. All humanity longs for the same things. If we talk to any race of people anywhere, what are the things they want? The common person in the street would probably say they just would like to live in peace. People don’t want to live with their lives in constant danger. People would like to have a job where they could make money to support their families. Everyone would like to be able to worship God as they like. Everyone desires to have their human dignity respected. People would like to have food, clothing and shelter.
This is a common language. When we study the great religions, we see universal tenants in those religions that speak to the hunger for justice. Just take the Golden Rule. Most religions would believe that we should treat others way we want to be treated. Most religions have a common language which says “God is love”.
I remember being part of a religious service once, where several thousand people gathered. The service was an interreligious/ interracial service. I was part of a contingent of white seminarians. The speech making got quite emotional as speakers called for equality among races. When we left the service, our professor helped us unpack the experience. He asked us if we were afraid since we were in the minority. We had to admit we were. But he said something I will never forget. He said, “You needn’t have been afraid because you were with church people.” I have always remembered his words. I have been in mosques, synagogues, all kinds of Protestant churches. I have never felt frightened in a religious setting because there is a common language. Violence would have to come from the outside.
The common language of religion, again, is a language revolving around a love of God and neighbor. If that isn’t the belief in faith community then communication breaks down quickly. When the common good is the value then the Spirit is at work in that community.
Reflection Questions:
- How do I understand Scripture? Do I take it at face value, or do I have a more nuanced approach?
- What beliefs do I have that are shared by most people? Do those beliefs have anything to do with God?
Dear Parishioners,
Mark July 17th at 11 a.m. on your calendar. This will be a significant day in the history of our parish. We will have a blessing and groundbreaking for our new church addition. Everyone is invited to take part in this event. We will begin with Mass, and this will be followed by a blessing of the work site and a symbolic breaking of ground. Finally, there will be a reception that will last until 2 p.m. Everyone is invited to take part.
I will also be commemorating my 40th anniversary to the priesthood. A lot has happened in forty years. Hopefully, a vowed commitment still is a sign of the Kingdom of Jesus being a reality in the world.
Overall, the groundbreaking will be rather simple. We look forward to dedication day which will be the day we can bless our new gathering space. Let’s ask St. Damian de Vuester ,the patron of our building project, to pray for the safety of our workers and for the success of our fund raising.
May Our Lady of Peace intercede in our violent world this day.
Fr. Mark
P.S. Thanks to all who helped with our rummage sale. This is a major event in our parish life, and it generates funds for various needs. A special thanks goes to Connie Morris for her leadership.