Spirit speaks our languages

Acts 2:1-21; Romans 8:22-27; John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15

 

I have always loved other languages. In high school, I studied Spanish and French, and continued those languages in college. I really enjoyed learning about the different culture of the places that speak the languages I was learning. For example, the Academie Francaise attempts to keep English words from invading French language.

And in Spain, Mexico, Peru, and Cuba, people speak Spanish. But each place has its own dialect and vocabulary. I was told by a Mexican friend that Cubans speak so fast, some Mexicans have trouble keeping up. Language is always influenced by culture and vice versa.

… Jesus has promised that the Holy Spirit will come upon the disciples and they will be filled with that Spirit. Fifty days after Jesus was raised from death, thousands of visitors have come into Jerusalem to celebrate Shavuot. This holiday observes the giving of the Torah to Moses. It is a joyful holiday, remembering the covenant between God and God’s people.

Folks have come from all around the Mediterranean Sea and from regions to the east and south of Israel. They are all Jews, but many of them don’t speak Aramaic, the language Jesus and the disciples speak. These visitors speak Greek, or Cyprian, or Libyan, or Arabic, or Farsi. They wear the clothing of their home country, eat the foods of their home country, and allow the culture and foods of their home country to affect how they celebrate their religious holidays.

It is to this crowd that the disciples now speak. The disciples speak Aramaic, with a Galilean accent, perhaps with a sprinkling of Greek. Yet, they discover that whoever is listening understands what they are saying as if the disciples were speaking in their own language. And not only their own language, but with their own cultural influences as well. The listeners are as amazed as the disciples! This is what happens when God’s Spirit gets involved.

In our readings today, Spirit has been described as fire and wind and language; as helper and pray-er and interceder; as advocate and truth. I suggest that Spirit is also encourager and challenger. Let’s take a look at how Spirit is active in our world and our lives. What language is Spirit speaking in these situations?

For decades, Representative John Lewis spoke out against the unjust treatment of People of Color. Last year with the help of technology, we saw what John was talking about. The demonstrations and riots in Minneapolis after George Floyd was murdered had echoing events in cities around the country and around the world. People saw the truth of a white police officer abusing his power over a black man, on video, broadcast again and again.

This abuse, which is a daily occurrence for People of Color in America, has now been made clear to White people who have been denying and ignoring it for hundreds of years. The video speaks in plain language that which has been hidden by words and the interpretation of words.

Over and over again, women have spoken publicly about the harassment and abuse they have experienced from powerful men. Too often, the men have said that women are the cause, that the relationship was consensual. The truth is that women are the victims of men who can’t keep their thoughts and hands and power to themselves.

Do you see the connection with Pentecost in this time we are living through? What is happening recently is frightening, exasperating, and exciting. We like to believe that Holy Spirit, our Advocate and Defender, speaks for us against the evil one.

And if we are a person who has been the victim of abuse, the Advocate does indeed speak for us, in our own language. Spirit the Comforter is with us in our darkest days and nights, helping us get from one day to the next.

Those of us who have not been abused are challenged to listen to the words, to the stories, to the weeping and wailing. We are challenged to pay attention and to do something. Spirit is with us to help and guide us to challenge the status quo, to bring justice to those who have experienced injustice, to comfort those who have suffered the worst, and to seek the best for them.

Spirit is the way that God communicates with us. Spirit always speaks our language, even though we may not want to hear what Spirit is saying.

Spirit comforts us and reminds us God loves us and values us as a beloved child. Spirit helps us see when we are guilty and challenges us to repent, to change our ways. And Spirit carries God’s mercy to us, offering us grace.

Above all, Spirit reminds us of Jesus’ words. “Love one another as I have loved you.” Let’s make sure all people know God loves them. Amen

And, just for fun, here is a video of the Lord's Prayer spoken in several languages.