Pentecost and the Importance of Latin

[HolySpirit]

If they are religiously Jews, then they are not formal members of the Church.

I was just responding to what you wrote…

I think it’s quite a sad thing that all of us educated in Christian lands are not educated in the Church’s language. It should be something understood by all people, as a universal language, to show the unity among us all, Jew and gentile. American and Peruvian. etc.

I think the Jews are satisfied with Hebrew.

HS

 

[Kei]

But it’s not really about the OF…
and very shortly after the Church could “go public” because it was made legal and popular, it was quick to adapt the “universal language”.

 

[Kei]

I meant unity in the Church, in Christ. Since Jews and gentiles were made one.

 

[AndrewAxland]

Why such visceral reactions to the language of the Church? I don’t get it, unless it’s just that this subject has been on the forums so much people are tired of it

I love Latin. Studied it eight years in prep school and college. With great enthusiasm.

But I don’t have any romantic attachment to it. And see no reason why Mass should be said in Latin rather than the vernacular. After all, it was precisely because Latin was the vernacular language at the time that Latin replaced Greek as the language of the liturgy in the West That was the only reason, not because Latin was in any way “sacred”. It just happened to be the language of the common people at that point in time.

 

[Entwhistler]

This is why, even in Masses that are in the vernacular, there should be some prayers that are said in Latin. Like the Sanctus or the Agnus Dei. That way all Catholics, regardless of the vernacular Language will be able to pray that prayer at any Latin rite Mass.

Anyone can learn what the Sanctus in Latin means.

 

[Spyridon]

I repent of that divisive thread, I just heavily edited the OP in it.

From now on I will not engage in any divisive rhetoric, I will only speak words which build up the Unity and Holiness of the Church.

 

[Kei]

The thread was supposed to be about common language or understanding. Like, for instance, the Tower of Babel appears to come after the Fall, so languages aren’t naturally a part of the Fall, perhaps we could link it together with the work of the Holy Ghost at Pentecost or something.

But, Latin was not chosen to be the language of the Church because it was sacred. It was the common language, understood by many. The reason Latin is sacred is because it is the language of the Church, and not the other way around.
And Ecclesiastical Latin especially is about only used by the Church, since it’s a dead language. Not used to swear by common folks like so many do today with vernaculars.

But that’s not the point of the thread!

 

[Vico]

…A bit of a non-sequitur but thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut.

How so? We do not have only one universal Liturgy therefore there cannot be one universal language.

 

[Shakuhachi]

That is true. But Latin is Eurocentric. Why should people of other countries and continents have to learn it on order to be part of th body of Christ?

On th other hand, it would be kind of nice except most of us do not have the time to really learn it.

 

[Kei]

You mentioned the Greek language being used for liturgy until Latin was established as the language of the Church. I don’t see what that has to do with the importance of a universal language (or, rather, universal understanding, as we are all in Christ).

 

[Kei]

I didn’t say they’d have to learn it. It’s just what would be ideal, if we as Christendom had a universal language. It was a dream to have a unified Europe back in the day.

And if the non-European country is Christian, the reason to learn it is because it’s the language of the Church. Of course, it also was the language of a TON of historical documents and academia.

 

[Shakuhachi]

Yes, all European. It would be the language of the ROMAN Catholic Church. I beleive the Orthodox would be Greek. If one is going to pray in a language I think learning it would be in order. Not thoroughly but at least every prayer. But the water is under the bridge. We are not going back. These days it is better for everyone to learn some Koine Greek, the language of the New Testament.

 

[Vico]

You mentioned the Greek language being used for liturgy until Latin was established as the language of the Church. I don’t see what that has to do with the importance of a universal language (or, rather, universal understanding, as we are all in Christ).

There is no tradition of a universal language for the Church.

 

[AndrewAxland]

We already have the universal language of love!

Precisely. That is one of the most on-mark statements I have ever read on this forum.

 

[godisgood77]

I wanted to start this thread about Pentecost and the importance of a universal language for the Church. Clearly, the miracle of tongues at Pentecost demonstrates the unity of us who are in Christ.
Likewiwe, it is important for the Church to have a universal language, it would appear. What do you think?

I think that Pentecost actually shows that there is no single language for the church. Those at Pentecost spoke in many tongues and understood many tongues. They did not distill all languages down to one.

Plus, the church today recognizes Vernacular languages as legitimate and just about every local church. I think that is the right approach

 

[goout]

I wanted to start this thread about Pentecost and the importance of a universal language for the Church. Clearly, the miracle of tongues at Pentecost demonstrates the unity of us who are in Christ.
Likewiwe, it is important for the Church to have a universal language, it would appear. What do you think?

So wait a sec…
The Gospel notes the flexibility of the Apostles to speak to others “where they are”…in various tongues.
And from that you connect the dots to universal language?

I’m not debating the Church using A language to officially communicate documents and such, but just trying to follow your question.

 

[goout]

You mentioned the Greek language being used for liturgy until Latin was established as the language of the Church. I don’t see what that has to do with the importance of a universal language (or, rather, universal understanding, as we are all in Christ).

Ok, so then…English?
Language is a matter of human practicality, not divine institution.

We are called to be a wise and practical people, not a cryptic and exclusionary people. Pentecost demonstrates good communication.
The Apostles speak effectively to those who are listening, for their edification. The Apostles don’t speak cryptically. That’s the whole point of the Gospel: communication.

By communicating with people, the people can be drawn in. If language is a hurdle, we need to overcome that hurdle. It’s the considerate thing to do.

 

[AndrewAxland]

Language is a matter of human practicality, not divine institution.

And the best way to communicate our faith to all nations is not by language, but by example. The shall now we are Christians by our love, not our Latin.

 

[Kei]

It goes…
At Pentecost, it is implied everyone in the crowd could understand what was being said.

The way to do this naturally is for their to be a mutual language understood by all parties. Like how I am speaking to you in English.

 

[Kei]

I knew maybe some people would think, “Ooh another thread on Latin, why…” but the amount of seeming dislike would appear to be ridiculous.

Don’t put a misplaced hatred of certain people going against the Church to go against what the Church has actually done, or to look at an issue. Don’t let emotional baggage affect the outlook about a related, but different, topic.