Why doesn't the Holy Spirit enable Christians to 'speak in tongues' at gatherings?

  • Thread starter Thread starter ethereality
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
E

ethereality

Guest
Watching the Holy Father’s General Audience from two days ago, it was disheartening to note that most of the time was spent with the crowd fragmented by language, most of the time wasted insofar as everyone waited for someone to speak in a language they understood. Why doesn’t the Holy Spirit enable Christians to understand what is being said like at Pentecost, especially when it is about the Christian faith, especially given that Jesus prayed that Christians may be united? Why does God want Christians to remain divided and confused by language?
 
That is not a helpful response, and only reinforces the position of the skeptic. Please focus on the questions asked, which concerns the entire body, not only those who’ve studied the particular languages.
 
Last edited:
Why should God work a miracle when we have it within our own ability to end the confusion caused by different languages with simply foreign language education in our schools?
 
At that moment it was a gift from the Holy Spirit the very first christians could use. The Spirit helps us in different times in different ways. It’s not a source for some magic tricks we can use whenever we want.
 
Who said he doesn’t? By the way, whilst I think speaking in tongues is important, I don’t think it’s required to be saved.
 
Last edited:
ethereality said:
most of the time wasted insofar as everyone waited for someone to speak in a language they understood. Why doesn’t the Holy Spirit enable Christians to understand what is being said like at Pentecost
Click to expand...
Jesus answers your question Himself, following the multiplication of loaves and fishes:
John 6:26-27:
Jesus said, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Do not work for food that perishes.”
Click to expand...
The crowd wanted another miracle – not for the miracle, but for its practical application. That’s not what miracles are about: they’re not about getting a full belly, or helping speed up a dialogue. They exist – when they occur – in response to God’s desire to bring people to faith. It was important, at Pentecost, in order for all to see what God was working in their midst. It’s somewhat less important to keep a General Audience moving along speedily… 😉
 
@ethereality Hi Unity in diversity,Jesus loves everyone ,there are no deference,between souls,though St Peter spoke in only one language ,people of all nations where present i Act ch 2,but they all understood in their own native language,how wonderful,is God’s wisdom, please read below reflection of St Theresa’s explanation .Hope it helps

https://www.littleflower.org/therese/st-therese-faqs/

St. Therese loved nature, and often used the imagery of nature to explain how the Divine Presence is everywhere, and how everything is connected in God’s loving care and arms. Therese saw herself as “the Little Flower of Jesus” because she was just like the simple wild flowers in forests and fields, unnoticed by the greater population, yet growing and giving glory to God. Therese did not see herself as a brilliant rose or an elegant lily, by simply as a small wildflower. This is how she understood herself before the Lord - simple and hidden, but blooming where God had planted her.

Therese believed passionately that Jesus was delighted in his “Little Flower,” and just as a child can be fascinated by the grandeur of a simple flower, she believed that Jesus was fascinated by her as his “Little Flower.” Therese understood that she was just like the tiny flower in the forest, surviving and flourishing through all the seasons of the year. Because of God’s grace, she knew that she was stronger than she looked. Following the Carmelite tradition, Therese saw the world as God’s garden, and each person being a different kind of flower, enhancing the variety and beauty which Jesus delighted in. When various people tried to explain her powerful inspiration and her place within the Church, it always seemed to come back to one title “the Little Flower.”

In her autobiography, she beautifully explains this spirituality:

Jesus set before me the book of nature. I understand how all the flowers God has created are beautiful, how the splendor of the rose and the whiteness of the lily do not take away the perfume of the violet or the delightful simplicity of the daisy. I understand that if all flowers wanted to be roses, nature would lose her springtime beauty, and the fields would no longer be decked out with little wild flowers. So it is in the world of souls, Jesus’ garden. He has created smaller ones and those must be content to be daisies or violets destined to give joy to God’s glances when He looks down at His feet. Perfection consists in doing His will, in being what He wills us to be.
 
St. Francis Xavier was pretty much a genius. He was good at everything, and especially at languages. So he ended up being sent to Asia, where he didn’t know any of the languages!

It’s well documented that, on a few occasions when he was preaching to large crowds of people whose languages he did not know, he was granted the gift of tongues to speak to them and be understood by all.

But after those occasions, he had to learn those languages the hard way, and there is a lot of saintly complaining about it in his letters home to the other Jesuits!

God gives us gifts when we need them. The rest of the time, God expects us to use the gifts of hard work and study.
 
BOTH Speaking in tongues and TRANSLATING tongues are separate GIFTS OF Holy Spirit; BUT Paul tells US that these are NOT the only Gifts, and not even the most important Gifts of the HS.

1st Cor 12: "[4] Now there are diversities of graces, but the same Spirit; [5] And there are diversities of ministries, but the same Lord;

[6] And there are diversities of operations, but the same God, who worketh all in all. [7] And the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man unto profit. [8] To one indeed, by the Spirit, is given the word of wisdom: and to another, the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit; [9] To another, faith in the same spirit; to another, the grace of healing in one Spirit; [10] To another, the working of miracles; to another, prophecy; to another, the discerning of spirits; to another, diverse kinds of tongues; to another, interpretation of speeches.

[11] But all these things one and the same Spirit worketh, dividing to every one according as he will

[26] And if one member suffer any thing, all the members suffer with it; or if one member glory, all the members rejoice with it. [27] Now you are the body of Christ, and members of member. [28] And God indeed hath set some in the church; first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly doctors; after that miracles; then the graces of healing, helps, governments, kinds of tongues, interpretations of speeches. [29] Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all doctors? [30] Are all workers of miracles? Have all the grace of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

[31] But be zealous for the better gifts. And I shew unto you yet a more excellent way.

Let none of be carried away in PRIDE because of speaking in tongues; when Paul teaches that there ARE other gifts; even gifts of more urgent NEED Gifted by the HSFOR The [singular] Church. AMEN!

Continued Blessings
Patrick
 
What Gorgias said, and really we can translate them already…
It’s like asking why does cheese have to stink sometimes or why does milk have to go bad.
 
It was a gift given to the early church to foster evangelisation.
 
oh, definitely. I was just speaking facetiously about pope memes.
 
Because learning languages takes years and time away from other goals that would ease human suffering, save lives, help convert others to the faith, etc. Are you suggesting all schools worldwide should teach one specific language?
 
“well documented”? I disagree, because I’ve never heard of this, despite living in Japan for nearly four years now. Please give us some citation, especially if it’s well documented.
 
Last edited:
Thanks, but I was referring to the claim that a miracle occurred such that his preaching was understood by all despite not formally studying the language. Of course pantomiming and acting can communicate simple points, but the poster was suggesting more than this.
 
Last edited:
It’s not clear to me what the final part of your post means, but perhaps you could recommend a book or some study of history to support your claims in the first part of your post.
 
Last edited:
Salutations,
We cannot guess the will of God. His will is spoken of in scripture for guidance. All items of faith may not be clear. Also, each individual in the crowd has a maturity unknown.
I am a Charismatic Catholic since 1978. We believe that the Holy Spirit, that we received when younger, has been dormant.or we weren’t spiritually mature to develop them. Vatican II opened up the church to the Holy Spirit. We brought God down to man’s level in practice. Priest looking at ppl. The vernacular in the area was to be used. Bible reading was encouraged. Some areas, I guess had Bible reading but where I was, it was new. Bible Studies were begun. We would walk up to Priest for communion. Baptism in the Spirit Seninars were given to help us relax and let God’s Spirit be active in our lives. We were encouraged to exercise in receiving and speaking in tongues. We looked for manifestations of signs of God in our lives. Mark 16 states these signs shall follow believers. Praying in tongues, ingesting poison and not being harmed. Being bitten by snakes and not heing harmed. We can cast out demons in His Name. We can lay hands on the believer and they shall recover.
Yes, Peter at Pentecost, spoke using his lips but all ppl from different towns and countries understood him. Our faith should be where that can be real for us.
After these changes, the churches attendance dropped. I’m sorry, I lived w Latin Mass and the changes, which were accepted and resisted at the time. I adjusted and enjoyed it. A short time after, our priest scandals occurred. That’s what caused attendance to drop.
I’ve noticed a return to Latin mass is occurring. I was angered by this. It took a lot to let Latin rest.
I was against returning. I’m confused as why a Latin mass would bring us closer to God. Let them have 0730 mass.
I just read a blog on a church returning to the Tridentine format… Some ppl left the church but 2 mos after, more young ppl returned. Census is up and collections are up 3%. Well, HALLELUJAH! Veils are being worn and church modest dress is returning.,There were some scanty outfits. The choir has gotten larger and Gregorian chant is back.
As a Pharisee said, if Jesus is the Messiah, this will last. If God wants this, the believers will return.
By Your fruits you will know them. I still have my old misselettes in Latin and English. Introibo alteri Dei. I will go into the house of my Lord.
Walking and living w Jesus is a joy. There are times of suffering and stillness. I believe in the sun, even when it isn’t shinning. I believe in God, even when He is silent…
Don’t know if this helps. It is not a simple answer.
Our faith is weak? Our spiritual maturity is young?
The Spirit of God has not descended to translate?
In Christ’s love
Tweedlealice
 
I think you are correct to point out that which language we use doesn’t matter so long as we understand what is being said. Praying in Latin is good insofar as it promotes a sense of the sacred (this is what attracts youth), but of course we need to be reading a translation alongside it. I encourage us all to adopt the red Adoremus hymnals of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Orlando, Florida — has Latin on the left page and English on the right page, with Gregorian chant. I thought it was great, because it enables us to enter into an experience different from our daily lives in secular society and to connect with generations that have gone before us.
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top