I read the text from the Acts of the Apostles 2: 6-11:
Everyone heard them speak in his own language. They were amazed, and they said: ‘These men who are speaking, are they not all Galileans How is it then that each of us hears them in his own native language?
Parthians, Medes and Elamites and people of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the part of Libya near Cyrene, Romans living here as well as Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs; we hear them in our own languages proclaiming the wonderful works of God. All were amazed and said to one another: ‘What does this mean?’
I listen to the text of Cardinal Lavigerie
“I wish that as soon as possible, and no later than six months after their arrival in the mission, that all the missionaries no longer speak to one another in any language other than that of the tribes among whom they reside.” Cardinal Charles Lavigerie, 1878
“How, says St. Paul, will they hear without someone preaching to them?” And I add: “How will we preach, if we do not know their language? And how will we know it if we do not study it? The miracle of Pentecost happened only once. Since then, we have to work for it, but the work becomes easy and fruitful when it is charity that inspires it.” Charles Lavigerie 1886
I pray personally:
I read the text of the Acts of the Apostles.
I imagine the motley crowd around the apostles: I look at these people, their origin, their clothes, their language. And I marvel at the miracle of Pentecost: all hear the Good News of Jesus Christ in their own language!
Then I read the text of Cardinal Lavigerie.
In my parish, my place of work or study, is there also a “motley crowd”? People of different origins, different languages? Do they have the possibility through me or through others, to witness today the miracle of Pentecost? Does my life help them hear the Good News of Jesus Christ?
