(For the audio version of this blog, please visit: https://brothersinchristcmf.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Mass-Blog-for-Pentecost-2026.mp3)
Different is the key word in the readings for Pentecost. It’s repeated several times, but it doesn’t define Pentecost. The Holy Spirit does, by turning different into the same—or more precisely, the in-common.
But problems arise in our modern world when souls with warring differences cry out to different gods for a peace that agrees with theirs—and that of their own strange gods.
We Catholic Christians worship three Gods in One—Father, Son and Spirit. The third person of our God gathers us all into the unity of that trinity. The second person tells us “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” (John 20:19-23)
God the Father has sent this world many saints raised in different countries. They’ve had different languages and different personalities, but what all saints have in-common is the knowledge that they’re sinners. Nevertheless, they’re comforted by the knowledge they’re part of something bigger than they are. This unites them in a communion comprising one family belonging to God their Father, one body belonging to Christ the Son, one soul belonging to THE Holy Spirit. THEIR Holy Spirit.
Pentecost is when we contemplate the possibility of people speaking different languages but sharing the same understanding. Quite a difference from a world populated by many who speak the same language but have different understandings. Only one language means anything.
Unlike saints who know they’re sinners, many of us 21st Centurions believe we’re righteous and our opponents are wrong and must be conquered. Maybe even killed, in those regions of our world where politics is a blood sport.
Jesus is part of a trinity designed to unite all of God’s children in the peace of one Way, one Truth and one Life. Yes, we children of the first Adam also have his sin in common, but we have different spiritual gifts by which the second Adam taught us to heal sin’s brokenness and make humanity whole.
As Paul teaches, we have different talents to serve all our needs for some benefit. (1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13) In our 21st Century world, these services are modern day miracles God produces in everyone to answer our prayers.
As saints in the making, let’s live a love that helps us recognize our shared mortal sin of selfishness. We can then conquer it by willing the good of others. We do that by devoting our lives to transforming the babble of sin’s diversity within us into God’s only language.
How do we know God understands all our expressions of His language? Because they’re expressed through His mighty acts (Acts 2:1-11). God’s is a sign language spoken with many accents.
–Tom Andel