Joyful and attractive sound

This Pentecost Sunday, the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles speaks of a sound that draws people’s attention to its source. We read that ‘…there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, ‘Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?… – we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God’ (cf. Acts 2:1-11). Only the Spirit of God can unite into one, various tongues, languages and peoples. Anything on the contrary leads to confusion and disunity. It will never bring peace.

Beloved people of God, when we speak any language, foreign or local, with love and joy; when the sound we make and the sound that people hear is our way of telling of the ‘mighty works of God’, it becomes a joyful sound that can attract and not distract. It draws people closer, uniting them in a bond and with cord that cannot be easily broken. The sound leaves people amazed and astonished, full of admiration. Yet, if any chooses to go away, it is because they are allergic to the sound of love, joy, unity and peace. The Holy Spirit is never a source of confusion. 

We pray that people observe as they are drawn close by our joyful noise will be edifying. May it have a calming and not a jarring effect. May we live a life guided by the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. May we all be able to speak of forgiveness, peace, unity and love. Accepting peace in our individual lives will enable us to speak of peace and give same to the Community of faith and beyond.

Fr. Ted