The gift of tongues is a very misunderstood and difficult topic to understand, especially for those who have never manifested this gift or experienced it in person. In my own personal experience, it is VERY REAL.
It does sound like gibberish, but it does serve a purpose. It is supposed to strengthen the faith of a group of believers…or strengthen your own faith in God.
It is not a widely manifested gift in the Catholic Church, so many Catholics feel very uncomfortable with its use. It is seldom used in circles outside of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal.
Sometimes tongues is called an “angelic language” because in some manifestations of it you are speaking in a language unknown to man and talking directly to God. “For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to human beings but to God, for no one listens; he utters mysteries in spirit” (1 Corinthians 14:2). This is what is called a Praise Tongue. The person is merely praising God by letting the Holy Spirit speak [in His own words] through him or her. This is private and personal…needing no interpretation. It would be like someone in their native tongue saying something like, “I love You Jesus,” or “Praise You Lord.” It is the spontaneous praising of God because you are moved by His love and the presence of the Holy Spirit within you.
Tongues can also occur in a known human language. Sometimes missionaries have found themselves speaking in a language that they do not know themselves, and the people they were addressing (the local inhabitants of the region) understood what they said. These people were moved by the presence of the Spirit and what He was saying, and they were converted to Christianity.Tongues were used in the the beginning of Christianity for conversion in this manner. “Thus, tongues are a sign not for those who believe but for unbelievers…” (1 Corinthians 14: 22).
Tongues may also be Intercessory Tongues. The Spirit will pray for what you need when you don’t know what that is or do not know how to express it, especially in times of great distress. “In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings. And the one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because it intercedes for the holy ones according to God’s will” (Romans 8:26-27). It can be a way of asking God to hear the unvoiced prayer in our hearts.
Tongues may also be Prophetic Tongues. That is to say that God may speak prophecy to a group of Christians through an utterance in tongues, and someone must provide a translation of this message. However, this is a VERY VERY sketchy area and needs great discernment because this message could be from a person’s own imagination, or it could be demonic. The message must never contradict scripture, the Ten Commandments, or lead us to behave in immoral ways, or go against the teachings of the Catholic Church. If instructions are given for action in a prediction, such a message should be taken to a Church authority (a priest) for discernment, He will decide if such action is right and prudent. The greatest prophecies have already been told in the Bible, so there really aren’t many new predictions for the future. After all, we already know how it all ends: Christ returns to judge us etc… Prophecy in this age (Post our Lord’s earthly life), usually is just an uplifting or transformative message for believers and not a prediction for the future. It may be something like this prophetic message (on abortion): “Why do you kill My children? I have put the breath of life in their mothers’ wombs. Only I can create them. I alone. Why do you murder them? Why do their screams pierce the night? I have a plan for them–every one.” This message could be seen by a believer as an uplifting confirmation on the sanctity of life in the womb.
Not everyone receives the Gift of Tongues. There are many gifts we can receive from the Spirit that help us grow in faith and deepen the faith of others. It may be something simple and ordinary, like the ability to teach a catechism class. This gift is no less great than the speaking of tongues. If God really wants you to speak tongues, it will just happen–no conscious thought on your part. If it never happens, it was never meant to be. Such gifts from the Spirit are not necessary for the salvation of your soul. Far more important is the belief in Christ and the frequent use of the Sacraments. In all, you should always follow the teachings of the Church, as she is there to protect you from going astray. And we must always remember the greatest commandment God gave us (to love.) For even, “If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or clashing cymbal” (1 Corinthians 13:1).
