This Sunday, May 24, is Pentecost, marking the conclusion of the sacred 50 days of the Church’s Easter season. On this day, we celebrate the birth of the Church, commemorating that profound moment when the faithful gathered as one and the Holy Spirit descended upon them in the form of tongues of fire.
Although those present originally spoke different native dialects, the grace of the Holy Spirit enabled everyone to understand one another across linguistic divides. This miraculous gathering became the very prototype of the ecclesial community, making Pentecost truly the birthday of the Church.
The sight of people from diverse regions and ethnicities instantly comprehending one another despite language barriers must have been deeply awe-inspiring. Effective communication begins with mutual listening. Yet, in modern life, genuine listening is an increasingly rare virtue.
When we participate in meetings, do we truly and attentively listen to others? Or do we merely attend in order to “hear” rather than genuinely “listen”? In a bustling metropolis like Hong Kong, where people are consumed by the relentless demands of study and work, many find themselves replying to managerial messages on WhatsApp long after office hours have ended. The virtue of “listening” is precisely what the general public lacks nowadays.
The second aspect of good communication is speaking. In a meeting, if only one party speaks and does not allow the other side to express themselves, it becomes merely a “one-man show”—issuing orders without any genuine exchange. Such situations are common in groups, corporations, and even at the international level among nations.
At the time of writing, Iran has imposed restrictions on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, announcing that vessels must pay a transit fee to pass. Meanwhile, the United States has introduced blockade measures against Iranian ports, escalating the confrontation between the two sides into a state of “drawn swords and bent bows”. Despite appeals from many international leaders for both sides to lay aside their prejudices and return to the negotiation table, both Iran and the United States stubbornly hold to their own positions. Both nations remain entrenched, failing to prioritise the well-being of ordinary people, which is truly disappointing.
When we apply these crucial principles of listening and speaking to our faith community, we are immediately reminded of the vision of a synodal Church. A synodal Church places immense value on the mutual listening of all the People of God, engaging in conversation in the Spirit. It is a space where every individual’s voice is respected, free from immediate refutation or judgement.
By fostering this environment, a synodal Church enables the entire faithful to respond collectively to God’s call, manifesting the true communal nature of the Church as we walk together to fulfil our shared mission of evangelisation.
May the Holy Spirit, our Advocate and Guide, fill the hearts of the faithful and kindle within us the fire of divine love. SE
