Speaking the Language of Service
Celebrating Vincentian Family Day, Fr. Pat Griffin shared his thoughts on Pentecost, our recent ordinations, how Vincent and Louis spoke the universal language of loving service. He prayed that all in the Vincentian family might speak this common language. (His full text follows this abbreviated 3-minute version.)
I am certain that all of us have used the expression, or at least heard the expression, “he/she speaks our language.” They use word, examples, and experiences that we immediately grasp and that help us to get the point of the conversation and the explanation. Do you know what I mean? Am I speaking your language?
When we look at the first reading today from the Acts of the Apostles, we find the Christian community gathered with the Blessed Mother on Pentecost. In the Gospel today, Jesus says:
“I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always. . . . The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.”
(In the Acts of the Apostles) note what is said over and over regarding the preaching of the apostles: “each one heard them speaking in his own language. . . . (and again) how does each of us hear them in his native language? . . . (and still again) we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God.”
The Spirit allows the people to hear and understand what God has done in Jesus.
Pentecost is that moment (1) when the community finds common ground, (2) when they embrace how they connect to one another, (3) when they become Church. It is a beautiful moment which can only be symbolized by wind and fire—the signs of the presence of the Spirit who moves and ignites, who is heard and felt.
Last Saturday, something wonderful happened in this Church. The Christian community gathered here in prayer to seek once again the gift of God’s Spirit. This Church summoned two young men into its service as priests of the Congregation of the Mission. This could only happen as the community sought the Holy Spirit to consecrate these men for this ministry. The fact that the first Pentecost took place with the Blessed Mother in the midst of the community fits well within the context of our gathering here at this shrine to Mary. We place ourselves in communion with the earliest Church as we gathered and prayed and waited. We continue to ask God’s blessing upon these men who point to our future as a Vincentian Family.
For some of us gathered here, this is an anniversary year. Fr. John Gouldrick, our main celebrant, celebrates a true Pentecost of 50 years of faithful service; I add on the 40 years of wandering in the desert. Others bring greater and lesser numbers to the life of the Congregation of the Mission.
All of us who share in the Vincentian Family pray and believe that we speak a common language. One can hope that those who have a particular responsibility for preaching God’s word have a fluency with that language. We know the Vincentian charism, stories, and values. We grasp the way in which they express and explain the Gospel message, how they embrace the teachings of Jesus as these are enlightened by the Holy Spirit. We yearn to preach the Gospel to the poor.
Once we have understood these truths ourselves, we have the privilege and responsibility to communicate them to others.
Understanding happens through our witness to what we believe. (1) Our fidelity to prayer, (2) our reverence for the Eucharist, (3) our awareness and overcoming of our own sinfulness, (4) our dedication to the poor—all these point the way to Jesus. As people see us dealing with the Gospel in our own lives, they are enlightened by the Spirit and come to understand it for their own. When they see the way in which we treat one another, they know that the values are real in our lives, and can be so in theirs as well.
Understanding happens through the language of love and compassion and generosity.
Vincent and Louise spoke this universal language. They learned it through struggles in their own lives. And they taught it to others through their public and faithful witness. People of all walks of life heard them speaking in a language which they recognized, and they began to speak that language themselves. They, then, shared it with others. Thus did the mission grow.
We speak a common language, driven by common goals, and the gift of a common history. Let us pray that the Lord might continue to pour out the Divine Spirit upon each of our honorees this weekend, upon our newly ordained, upon all of our families, and upon all of us gathered here today.
Our constant prayer can be: “Come, Holy Spirit,” teach us to speak and to hear the same language which unites us in love and mission. Amen.
Full text
I am certain that all of us have used the expression, or at least heard the expression, “he/she speaks our language.” We use it of politicians, of doctors, of mechanics, of ministers, and of a host of other people. When we say this, we do not (usually) mean that we have the same native tongue, but that the other person talks and explains things in a way that makes sense to us and is easily comprehensible. They use word, examples, and experiences that we immediately grasp and that help us to get the point of the conversation and the explanation. Do you know what I mean? Am I speaking your language?
When we look at the first reading today from the Acts of the Apostles, we find the Christian community gathered with the Blessed Mother on Pentecost. It is fifty days since the Resurrection of Jesus, and ten days since he ascended from their midst. They are waiting for the promised gift of the Spirit. In the Gospel today, Jesus says:
“I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always. . . . The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.”
This Spirit whom the community awaits will be more than one who provides information. The Spirit will help the disciples to understand everything about Jesus. The Acts of the Apostles communicates this truth; listen to the insistence of the people who hear the disciples after the descent of the Holy Spirit. Note what is said over and over regarding the preaching of the apostles:
“each one heard them speaking in his own language. . . . (and again) how does each of us hear them in his native language? . . . (and still again) we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God.”
Each person who hears the disciples’ preaching understands them in his own native tongue! Each person comprehends clearly the teachings of the apostles as they speak about the mighty acts of God. Each ear captures plainly the meaning of the words of truth and commitment. The point is not simply that a common tongue carries the message, but that it arrives in a way that all those present can grasp. They speak the same language both literally and figuratively. Without understanding, without good communication, there can be no belief, acceptance, or change of heart.
The Spirit allows the people to hear and understand what God has done in Jesus.
Pentecost is that moment (1) when the community finds common ground, (2) when they embrace how they connect to one another, (3) when they become Church. It is a beautiful moment which can only be symbolized by wind and fire—the signs of the presence of the Spirit who moves and ignites, who is heard and felt.
Last Saturday, something wonderful happened in this Church. The Christian community gathered here in prayer to seek once again the gift of God’s Spirit. This Church summoned two young men into its service as priests of the Congregation of the Mission. This could only happen as the community sought the Holy Spirit to consecrate these men for this ministry. Bishop Cabezzas, our Vincentian Bishop, was here. He imposed hands on the candidates; he anointed their palms; he spoke the words of consecration. Through these symbolic rites and prayers, these men became priests to serve the Church through the power of the Holy Spirit. It was a true Pentecost event. The fact that the first Pentecost took place with the Blessed Mother in the midst of the community fit well within the context of our gathering here at this shrine to Mary. We place ourselves in communion with the earliest Church as we gathered and prayed and waited. We continue to ask God’s blessing upon these men who point to our future as a Vincentian Family.
For some of us gathered here, this is an anniversary year. Fr. John Gouldrick, our main celebrant, celebrates a true Pentecost of 50 years of faithful service; I add on the 40 years of wandering in the desert. Others bring greater and lesser numbers to the life of the Congregation of the Mission. I remember my own ordination. I remember well the way in which all the priests present imposed hands on my head. As a community, we begged the Spirit to come and carry out her sacred task. I remember how it all took place in the midst of family, friends, and the people of God. Many of you may remember days such as that as well. Some were here on that day for me; I have been there for some of you.
All of us who share in the Vincentian Family pray and believe that we speak a common language. One can hope that those who have a particular responsibility for preaching God’s word have a fluency with that language. We know the Vincentian charism, stories, and values. We grasp the way in which they express and explain the Gospel message, how they embrace the teachings of Jesus as these are enlightened by the Holy Spirit. We yearn to preach the Gospel to the poor.
At Pentecost, the apostles receive the Holy Spirit first. All during Jesus’ public ministry, they had never completely grasped his nature and his mission. His passion and death only added to that confusion. When Jesus is raised from the dead, however, they come to understand more clearly who he is. Now, with the gift of the Spirit, they can know the whole truth. With this knowledge, they are ready to witness and die for the sake of the Gospel. The Spirit gives them that resolution and wisdom. We, too, can pray for that gift of the Spirit.
Once we have understood these truths ourselves, we have the privilege and responsibility to communicate them to others. Here, again, the Spirit must be sought and is at work. Sometimes, this communication takes place through our words that are carefully chosen and illustrative. But we know that the true communication, the true understanding, takes place on another level. When we wish to communicate the Gospel to those whom we serve, information is only part of the equation.
Understanding happens through our witness to what we believe. (1) Our fidelity to prayer, (2) our reverence for the Eucharist, (3) our awareness and overcoming of our own sinfulness, (4) our dedication to the poor—all these point the way to Jesus. As people see us dealing with the Gospel in our own lives, they are enlightened by the Spirit and come to understand it for their own. When they see the way in which we treat one another, they know that the values are real in our lives, and can be so in theirs as well.
Understanding happens through the language of love and compassion and generosity. People come to value the Christian message clearly through the way in which they experience it in their dealings with us. When we express God’s love concretely and consistently in our service, they grasp the message. We do this directly in our ministry to others as well as in our assumption of the responsibilities of our common life. When we enter into people’s lives in this way, we speak a language that they comprehend and the Spirit is at work.
Vincent and Louise spoke this universal language. They learned it through struggles in their own lives. And they taught it to others through their public and faithful witness. People of all walks of life heard them speaking in a language which they recognized, and they began to speak that language themselves. They, then, shared it with others. Thus did the mission grow.
The Solemnity of Pentecost is a great day of celebration for the Church. The Spirit has been received and now stands forever as the force that leads and guides the Church. That is true for the Vincentian Family and all of us gathered here today. We speak a common language, driven by common goals, and the gift of a common history. Let us pray that the Lord might continue to pour out the Divine Spirit upon each of our honorees this weekend, upon our newly ordained, upon all of our families, and upon all of us gathered here today. Our constant prayer can be: “Come, Holy Spirit,” teach us to speak and to hear the same language which unites us in love and mission. Amen.
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