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Feast of Pentecost, Cycle B
Terranova Hermitage
May 20, 2018
The Language of Pentecost and Our Language
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato
Our Language
Today on this great feast Pentecost which is about language, I want to reflect with you about ourlanguage – the the words we use when we speak.
Our words are very important. They have an effect on us and to some extent shape and form us as persons.
Our words also have an effect on others. They may lead others to feel esteemed or worthless, to feel angry or compassionate.
And our words have an effect on our relationship with God. My concern is that we need to be intentional about our use of words.
As the saying goes, we need to think before we speak. For the past three or four months, I have been thinking about some basic rules on our use of words.
I have identified five positive rules for the kinds of words we are to say, and, there is a corresponding negative for each of these about the kinds of words we are to avoid. So, here goes!
Five Rules on Words
First, use words that are affirming and not belittling.
Affirm the good qualities of others or else just say nothing. Don’t belittle them and make them appear as less or as no good.
Second,use words that are unitive and not divisive.
Speak about the traits or values or practices that you share in common with others and that unite you. Don’t divide or separate yourself from others as if there is no common ground between you.
Third, use words that are reconciling and not distancing.
Ask for forgiveness and apologize, or be forgiving and at least try to be reconciled with the others. Don’t distance yourself from them especially by forever holding yourself as right and them as wrong.
Fourth, use words that are protecting and not bullying.
Be protective of others who are vulnerable. Don’t bully them by taking advantage of their weakness or inferior position.
And fifth, use words that are persuasive and not coercive.
Treat others as rational and reasonable persons and try to respectfully persuade them about whatever the topic or issue is. Don’t try to coerce or manipulate others into seeing or doing things your way.
Many Languages…One Understanding
Okay! I see these as five very basic, but important rules on language – on our choice and use of words.
I share these today more as a refresher. And I am moved to do this especially by our first reading.
The passage says that the Holy Spirit comes down upon Jesus’ first disciples and there is a miracle of language. People from many different nations, speaking all different languages, hear and understand what the disciples are saying.
Apparently, each language group hears the disciples speaking in their own language. That was the effect of God, the Holy Spirit.
So, my idea is that when we use words that are affirming, unitive reconciling, protecting, and persuasive – when we speak this language, then God the Holy Spirit is flowing through us. This is a language that everyone can hear and receive and understand, regardless of their native tongue.
And the results will be much like what Saint Paul describes in the second reading. We will be one, one body, in one Spirit – one, regardless of differences.
But when we use words that are belittling, divisive, distancing, bullying, and coercive – when we speak this language, then God the Holy Spirit is not flowing through us. Then we are blocking the flow of the Spirit.
This is a language that others will not be able to hear and receive and understand. And the results will be unrest, fragmentation and probably hostility.
Conclusion
So, to go back to where I began, our language, our use of words is very important.
It has consequences. The words we speak to your husband or wife, to your parents or children, to our classmates or co-workers, to our neighbors or friends – these are important and they have effects.
The words may be about those with whom we are speaking. Or they may be about other persons or groups – maybe persons of other nationalities or races or religions or cultures.
The Scripture today calls us to let the Holy Spirit flow through us in our words. Then our language or words will be able to be heard and received and understood by all and have real life-giving effects.
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