(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
I used to believe that babies came out as blank slates and they grow from their experiences and exposure to the world in it’s many forms. Now, having children I fully believe I was totally wrong. Each of us from conception to present day has a full person in us made up of the gifts God gives. As a parent my mission is to cultivate those gifts in my children as well as myself and my spouse so that my family can reap the rewards He has in store for us. I feel the same call with a particular organization I am a part of. Recognizing and respecting these gifts in others, especially those vastly different than our own (whether our family or friends) can be it’s own challenge at times but that is how he teaches us and helps us grow! Psalm 44 tells us that the nations were not conquered by the sword but, to summarize it was the gift of God! Jesus did not come to condemn those who were not like him, no one was. He came precisely because they were not like him! St. Francis of Assisi tells us to preach by deeds. What great deeds are there than to love God over everything and to love our neighbors? According to Jesus himself, none. Let our gifts be a blessing we share especially with those who are different rather than a source of animosity leading us to feel the need to “conquer” another.
Mike, scripture backs you up on what God has in mind for each individual’s purpose. Luke 12:6-7 states: “Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God. Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.” And that organization you mentioned benefits greatly from the gifts God gave you. You ARE a grand Knight.
God’s language is understood wherever people will the good of others—as we pray in the Lord’s Prayer, “Thy will be done.” That is the true language of Pentecost: the language of sacrificial love, spoken through many voices, cultures, and gifts, yet understood by every heart open to the Holy Spirit.
Agreed, George. People of faith may have trouble putting our beliefs into words, but have an easier time putting them into action. That theme comes across in a movie out in the theaters, The Sheep Detectives, in which sheep try to solve the murder of their shepherd. In one scene, one of the sheep tries to describe what goes on inside the church they’re walking by. He can’t communicate the idea of transubstantiation, or eating God every Sunday in the form of bread. This might not be far from the surface understanding non Chrisians have about our partaking in the eucharist. What they miss is that it comes with a responsibility. “You are what you eat” applies to our calling to bring Christ to others through our actions well after Sunday. Our actions are the language of our faith and we are called to make them understandable to the souls God puts in our life. In that way, maybe we sheep can smell more like our Shepherd.
The Holy Spirit is one of the most fascinating and important aspects of our Christian faith. The fact that our Lord and God would send us a portion of His very self is an inexpressible and for the most part incomprehensible reality of our lives.
As John wrote in the ending of the book of Revelation – Come Lord Jesus!
We can pray – Come Holy Spirit!
Through the Son and the Spirit, God the Father is with us!
I love you Thomas Andel!