moved by the spirit

Pentecost Sunday, May 31, 2020
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Language is the fundamental tool we have to communicate with others, our thoughts, our feelings, our convictions. Only humans have language reflecting the spiritual powers of the human soul.
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When someone says only a couple of words in another person’s language the effect is a delightful smile. Why is that? Language creates a human bond.

So, being able to speak to someone so we are understood is also fundamental to human relations. Imagine if you are speaking to someone and the other person has no idea what you are talking about, and they look at you with that expression of “ha?” or “what?” A feeling of a barrier or division has been created.

People do not have to be from different linguistic communities to experience the effects of barriers. It happens in our relationships, in our homes, at work: we speak the same language and yet there is misunderstanding. Poor language communication has its consequences and hurtful language can be disastrous. “They are only words,” you say; and yet, words can have psychological effects beginning with children. If something is repeated enough times, well it becomes believable. That’s just how we are. “It must be true, this is what I hear -- same words -- all the time.” 
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A child brought up being told he or she is an idiot will be led to feel insecure about their actual strengths. This does not mean that endless praise is the solution, words that flatter a child; this simply leads to a kid who is a narcissist and unbearable for others.
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Was it not through the deceptive words of a serpent that the man and woman fell from grace to sin (Gen 3)? And the builders of Babel did they not use a common language to outdo God (Gen 11).?

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