LITTLE FLOWERS OF SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI, Chapter 39

OF THE WONDERFUL DISCOURSE WHICH ST ANTHONY OF PADUA A FRIAR MINOR, MADE IN THE CONSISTORY

All present "understood what he said as perfectly as if he had spoken the language of each." In my travels I've visited churches where I've heard sermons preached in languages I didn't understand, or didn't understand really well enough to get more than the gist of the message. There's something wonderful about participating in worship in a language we don't understand. I think it has to do with knowing that we're about something that goes beyond our ethnic boundaries, and that is inexpicable, anyway. Not comprehending the words, I often found myself resonating the emotions of the preacher. I usually had some clue about the message, such as knowing what scriptural text it was based on, and that helped me understand enough to appreciate the message on a spiritual or emotional level. Here in America, we can usually find a Spanish speaking church to visit. In most major cities, there are usually ethnic churches. Maybe next time you're travelling and looking for a place to worship, you might seek this kind of worship experience. It calls to mind the mention of the gathering of people from every language and tribe in Revelation.