Gift of Tongues on Pentecost Day Extends to Bridging “cultural, national differences”: Cardinal in South Africa

“In Genesis, we see humanity created in God’s image and called to live in fellowship, with God, within themselves, and with one another and, indeed, with creation itself,” he said, and added, “Political strife, social divisions, and personal disagreements threaten the fabric of our communities.”

Cardinal Brislin challenged Christians to take the lead in fostering unity, emphasizing that “as followers of Christ, we are called to a higher standard – a divine calling to actively pursue and embody unity.”

“Unity does not imply uniformity,” he went on to say, and added, “The beauty of the Church lies in its diverse members, each gifted uniquely by the Holy Spirit. This is a richness that has been given to humanity and the Church.”

The individuality of each person, including “your background, language, culture, experiences, and gifts, is an essential part of the Body of Christ,” Cardinal Brislin said, referring to St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians.

“It is this very diversity that enriches our community, allowing us to reflect the multifaceted nature of God's love,” the Local Ordinary of Johannesburg, who doubles as President of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC), said.

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He continued, “In our quest for unity, we must recognize and honour these differences. Rather than allowing them to divide us, we should celebrate them.”

He cautioned “the enemies of unity”, including “pride, prejudice, the inability to forgive or to seek forgiveness and misunderstanding”, saying that these “should have no place in our hearts.”

“Instead, we need to strive for a deeper understanding, embracing dialogue and compassion as we learn from one another,” the 68-year-old South African Cardinal, who started his Episcopal Ministry in January 2007 as Bishop of South Africa’s Kroonstad Catholic Diocese said.

In his Pentecost Sunday homily, Cardinal Brislin also emphasized the need for relationships rooted in humility and love as a means of promoting true unity.

“Let us ask ourselves: How can we show Christ’s love to those with whom we disagree? How can we be peacemakers in our communities?” he posed, and explained that Christ’s love “starts with listening, understanding, and embracing our shared dignity as children of God. It also requires the will to seek unity.”

The South African Cardinal reminded Christians that the pursuit of unity often comes with a cost. The pursuit of unity “requires sacrifice, humility, and a willingness to put others before ourselves,” he said.

The pursuit of unity can be uncomfortable to let go of grievances, Cardinal Brislin went on to say, adding that “when we focus on Christ as our Saviour and our shared mission to love and serve, our differences become less significant.”

 “We can find strength in our struggles, as they can lead to a depth of spirituality and depth of our communion with God,” said the South African Catholic Church leader, who was among the 21 Cardinals that the late Pope Francis named after reciting the Angelus prayer on 9 July 2023 and created Cardinal during the 30 September 2023 Consistory.

He explained, “As difficult as relationships can be, especially in respecting and accepting people who are different from us, the struggle to do so refines our character and deepens our Christianity. When we face challenges together, we grow more resilient and united in our purpose.”

“As we reflect on unity, let us consider practical ways to embody it in our lives. As usual, we should always start with those closest to us—our family, friends, and community,” Cardinal Brislin said in his June 8 homily.

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He appealed for unity initiatives among the people of God, saying, “As we celebrate Pentecost, the day in which the divisions of Babel of the Old Testament are reversed, we should reflect on what we can do to promote unity and to build bridges with others.”

Building bridges requires courage, Cardinal Brislin noted, and added, “Reaching out to those who may have wronged us, offering forgiveness, or seeking it when we are at fault, is a vital first step toward fostering unity.”

“So often pride stands in our way and we lack the ability to humble ourselves. Yet togetherness and good relationships with others demands humility,” he said.

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.