The Language of the Spirit

 With this feast of Pentecost, comes the universal church as well as one universal language of the Holy Spirit. There are some excerpts from this weekend's readings regarding this. "The whole world spoke the same language, using the same words." (Genesis 11:1). " 'Let us do down there and confuse their language, so that one will not understand what another says'. Thus the Lord scattered them from there all over the earth, and they stopped building the city. That is why it was called Babel, because here the Lord confused the speech of all the world" (Genesis 11:7-9). 

And further, "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 enabled them to proclaim." (Acts of the Apostles 2:1-4). There is this reference to Jesus breathing on His disciples the second week of Easter and receiving His spirit, and His peace, as well as them witnessing His wounds. This breath is life, and its in the true faith we live and receive this Holy Spirit. 

I think about this language of the Holy Spirit, and how all people, nations can interpret and understand in one's own language. I'm reminded of my own language studies and how it gives me life. Just yesterday, I met up with my dear sister and we talked about language and both of our endeavors, and interests related to it. 

We also browsed through a book store and of course immediately went to the language section looking through language books. She went straight to the Spanish books, and I was scanning for languages I've learned, briefly dabbled in, or am currently learning. I looked at Arabic books, and scanned the French ones but not needing more. I was looking in the European languages, and they had 2 full rows of German, but no sight of Finnish, which is a language I'm interested in starting learning (and its not a Germanic language). I was also looking at extra misc language books or Asian section to see if they had any Tagalog/Filipino since its a language I just started learning. They had one book, but its one I already have borrowed from the library:)

I'm not sure where these 'new' language studies will take me. I find that my mind is in many places at once, thinking of a region of the world I want to learn about, and with that usually comes cuisine and language, and perhaps history. I don't really know what my 'true' language goals are, unlike my sister who has studying and practicing the same language for a number of years, excelling and progressing. But I know its been different for me, and that's why I can count on my 2 hands all of the languages I've learned, some more in depth than others- but I can't say I can count on my fingers the numbers in all these languages! ha

Perhaps the Holy Spirit is guiding me throughout this journey of language endeavors and interests, or perhaps sometimes its may just be my nature and personality to be inspired and full of ideas. Maybe its one of my spiritual gifts to be open to trying out something new. I remember taking a test last year, and one of my spiritual gifts was 'missionary' which has to do with being open and interested in integrating with different cultures and languages. As one of the readings says today, "There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone" (St. Paul to the Corinthians).