Speaking In Tongues

Good News for All

Pentecost is a celebration of connection, understanding, and divine presence. It’s a moment that reminds us of the power to bridge divides, to transcend differences, and to share something sacred in a way that everyone can truly understand. The story of Pentecost, where the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, enabling them to speak in many languages, is not just about a miraculous event in history—it’s about the ongoing invitation to make the Good News clear, inclusive, and meaningful for all.

When the apostles began speaking in different tongues, people from all nations understood them in their own languages. This wasn’t a spectacle of confusion; it was an act of profound clarity. It was a demonstration of how spiritual truths—truths about love, unity, and divine connection—are universal, but they must be communicated in ways that resonate with each person’s unique experience.

The message here is simple: Good News is only good when it truly reaches the heart.

Inclusivity in Communication

The miracle of Pentecost speaks directly to the need for inclusivity on the spiritual path. It shows us that the divine doesn’t speak in exclusivity or in secret codes reserved for a select few. Instead, the Spirit meets people where they are—across cultures, languages, and experiences. The heart of the Pentecost story is that God speaks to everyone, and the divine message of love and hope can—and should—be shared in ways that every person can understand.

Too often, spirituality becomes tangled in language that feels inaccessible or alienating. Religious jargon, dogma, or rigid frameworks can create barriers instead of building bridges. But Pentecost reminds us that spiritual truths don’t belong to one tradition, one group, or one way of speaking. They belong to everyone. The challenge for modern seekers and teachers alike is to translate these truths into words, images, and actions that make sense in today’s world.

What Does It Mean to Speak in Tongues Today?

Speaking in tongues today doesn’t necessarily mean learning a new language (though that can be a beautiful act of connection!). It’s about learning to communicate spiritual truths in ways that meet people where they are. It’s about expressing love, grace, and hope in ways that resonate deeply with the experiences and realities of others.

For example:

• To someone struggling with loss, speaking in tongues might mean offering words of comfort that acknowledge their pain while pointing to the hope of renewal.

• To someone skeptical of traditional religion, it might mean finding common ground in shared values like compassion, justice, or gratitude.

• To someone unfamiliar with spiritual practices, it might mean introducing mindfulness, meditation, prayer, or reflection through the lenses of psychology, cognitive science, mental health and emotional well-being.

Speaking in tongues today means being adaptable, empathetic, and creative in how we share spiritual wisdom. It’s not about watering down the message—it’s about opening it up, making it accessible and relevant without losing its essence.

The Role of Listening

The miracle of Pentecost wasn’t just in the apostles’ ability to speak—it was also in the crowd’s ability to hear. True communication is a two-way street, and for the Good News to be heard, there must be a willingness to listen. Listening deeply—without assumptions or judgments—is itself a spiritual practice. It allows us to understand the needs, fears, and hopes of others, so that when we speak, our words carry the weight of genuine connection.

In today’s world, speaking in tongues might mean learning to listen as much as we speak. It might mean setting aside our own agendas to truly understand where someone else is coming from. By listening first, we can respond in ways that are not only meaningful but transformative.

An Invitation for All of Us

The story of Pentecost invites us to reflect on how we communicate our own spiritual truths. Are we speaking in ways that others can understand? Are we listening with open hearts? Are we willing to adapt, to translate, and to meet people where they are?

This Pentecost, let’s embrace the spirit of inclusivity and connection. Let’s commit to sharing the Good News—not as a rigid set of ideas, but as a living, breathing message of love, hope, and unity. And let’s remember that the divine speaks in every language, through every heart, and to every soul.

Because the Good News isn’t just for everyone—it’s meant to be heard by everyone!