It is a lay reader's nightmare lesson and even those who wear the collar often tread lightly in the
linguistic territory of “Phrygia and Pamphylia.” But then the confusion of
language has spawned more trouble than mispronunciations and divisions that
begin with the inability to understand what the other is saying are too often
translated into the universal language of bigotry and violence. In whatever way
we understand the historical Day of Pentecost the meaning could not be clearer.
The lines of language that divide humanity were erased by the “Spirit poured out on all
flesh.” Of course the language that was understood on that day was discounted
as tongue tied drunkenness but there was a moment when the confusion of the
Tower of Babel was reversed and suddenly every tongue was translated into the
powerful deed of God that is the cross of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately it didn't take long for
the universal language of mercy to be confused and confined and the ability to
speak in tongues became more important than understanding what was said. But
the Day of Pentecost was not about speaking in tongues. It was about declaring
the powerful deeds of God in ways that people could understand no matter where
they came from or what language they spoke. Pray God we speak that language again.
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