Spontaneous Knowledge of Other Languages

[grannymh]

Agreed. But he also calls us to be discerning.

That is correct.

St. Paul specifically lists “discernment of spirits” as one of the nine classical gifts.
(1 Corinthians 12: 10) These gifts of the Holy Spirit are often considered as ministries which require study, prayer, and a deep commitment to the Catholic Faith. Discernment of spirits is the naming of the source of man’s actions and inspirations – God’s Spirit, man’s spirit, or evil spirits.

We also can be discerning and respectful. My standard advice is when someone sees a serious problem, it is her or his responsibility to talk with the parish pastor.

 

[Medawlinno]

With regards to ‘tongues’ in the Pentecost narrative, I would argue the following…

The more detailed version of the below is too long to post here; it would need to be done in parts and, from what I have been told, extended posts (even if you’re quoting yourself) are not allowed, so in brief:

In the Pentecost narrative of Acts – tongues and “other tongues” are simply nothing more than Aramaic and Greek – the two mother tongues of not only all the “local Jews” in attendance for Shavuot, but also the Jews of the Diaspora who were in Jerusalem for the feast. Those of the Western Diaspora spoke Greek as their mother ‘tongue’ (sic); those of the Eastern Diaspora were Aramaic speaking. The disciples spoke both languages; however, religious teaching (as well as worship and praying) in the Jewish world had to be done in a specifically prescribed language – namely, Hebrew. This concept is known as ‘ecclesiastical diglossia’ – very simply put; the use of a specific language over all others with respect to liturgical use as well as religious teaching/preaching, etc. People were “amazed, astounded and bewildered” to hear the disciples speaking to them in their mother tongues of Greek and/or Aramaic rather than the expected (and, in this instance, culturally/socially correct) Hebrew – no language or hearing miracle, no xenoglossy, and no ecstatic utterances were necessary. The ‘list’, in Acts (2:9-11) by the way is not a list of languages as many assume; it is a list of lands/countries and ethnic groups the Jews of the Diaspora were from – not one place in the entire Pentecostal narrative is any language mentioned by name….not one. In fact, nowhere in the entire narrative does it even suggest there was any type of a communication problem to begin with!

 

[grannymh]

May I respectfully point out that I count three languages in the crowd outside the Upper Room – Greek, Aramaic, and Hebrew. I assume that individual apostles preached to various parts of the large crowd. Spread out guys – we have something important which each person needs to know.

The run-on lists of various lands/countries and ethnic groups indicate that over the years, people would meet people from different locations. There is no indication that the crowd was divided into prescribed sections according to their geographic home location, though I am sure that families and neighbors would travel together. Because this is a traditional event, “both Jews and converts to Judaism” would eventually get to know and become friends with people from both the west and east – like a “melting pot” or like a tour group who, each year, travels to a foreign tourist site.

Notice the plural “they” “us” “we” “our” " “tongues” “all” “Jews” “converts” “travelers” “inhabitants” and “said to one another”. There is the practical assumption that an undefined “us” would be part of someone’s “we.” We can imagine that there were drinking buddies. Remember the wine at the wedding.

Here is the main thing we have to deal with. One apostle with one mouth speaking to a nearby group of similar looking persons but who are from different locations. What would be the best way to pick a common language for a group of Jews and converts and travelers and inhabitants, west and east? We go back to the beginning of Acts, chapter 2, when the Holy Spirit comes in the noise of a strong driving wind. Indeed, the Holy Spirit is most powerful. And the solution to three prominent possible languages is most simple.

Naturally, each apostle cannot speak Greek, Aramaic, and Hebrew at the exact same time. They are human. Thus, the Holy Spirit abides by the individual apostle’s singular choice of language. It is the Holy Spirit Who changes the listening individual’s normal human hearing so that each individual in the crowd hears in their own choice of language.

We can say that someone works miracles. On Pentecost, it is the Holy Spirit who “works” the miracle of hearing.