Pentecost challenges our superficial differences as humans

Fr. Enobong Paulinus Udoidiong – Rome, Italy.

What is the native language common to all humanity? The language common to humankind and native to us all, as the image of God, is love. In the Holy Spirit, we are all united in Christ, forming one bond for the common good of all. St. Paul, in the Second reading of Pentecost, reminds us of the essence of the varieties and differences of gifts as bestowed on us by God. 

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free

We are all created uniquely and gifted differently for the good of all. Just as the body is one and has many members, so also are we in Christ. There is no room for competition in the body of Christ. There is no room for superiority at the detriment of service. All must be imbued with the love of God and love of neighbour. Unity of Purpose as championed by the Holy Spirit is our goal.

Before God, there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female. We are all one in Christ, Unity and love is our motto.

God has no favourites -men and women of every language, people and all races belong to him. He loves us despite ourselves. What an experience the early Christians had at Pentecost: People from different nations of the world could hear each other in their own native language! 

African leaders must use the gift of natural resources for the common good

If then truly we have the Spirit of Christ, why do we have divisions in the body of Christ? What is the reason behind broken homes and families? Ethnic conflicts? Why do we, in Africa, have Christian leaders in authority and yet people are still living in abject poverty? How is this possible amid an abundance of natural and human resources endowed on the continent by God? Everyone cannot be the same. We are gifted differently. Yet, we must remember that we all have the responsibility to work for the common good. We must always use the gifts given to us by God to extol his mighty deeds. 

On this feast of Pentecost, what really are you doing with your gift? Which of these fruits of the Holy Spirit are you promoting in your position? Are we promoting charity, joy and peace, patience, understanding of others, kindness, fidelity, gentleness, and self-control? 

Regardless of colour, tribe – we are all one

Finally, Pentecost is also a day for every Christian to renew their Christian calling to bear the fruit of our conversion. A day we boldly profess our faith and speak openly about the love of God. A day we, together with the Holy Spirit, bear witness to the Unity of Purpose we have as humans irrespective of our colour, tribe, nation and language.