I was recently invited to a charismatic prayer meeting and, among other things, saw people praying in tongues. I found it very strange and was wondering what to make of it. Does the Church approve of this?
First, let us look at what the Scriptures have to say. Jesus himself prophesied that those who believed in him would be able to speak in tongues: “And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues …” (Mk 16:17).
The most well known manifestation of this gift took place on Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came down on the apostles.
“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in his own language” (Acts 2:4-6).
Later, when St Peter went to the house of the Roman centurion Cornelius in Caesarea and many were converted, this gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on converts from the Gentiles.
“For they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God” (Acts 10:45-46). Something similar happened in Ephesus when a group of men spoke in tongues after St Paul laid his hands upon them and they received the Holy Spirit (cf Acts 19:6).
St Paul himself writes at length to the Corinthians about the gift of tongues, including it among the variety of gifts given by the Spirit: “to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues” (1 Cor 12:10).
He goes on to distinguish between the gift of tongues and the gift of prophecy, each of which has a different purpose: “For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, he who prophesies speaks to men for their up building and encouragement and consolation. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the Church. Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than he who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the Church may be edified” (1 Cor 14:2-5).
Paul acknowledges that he too spoke in tongues: “I thank God that I speak in tongues more than you all; nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind, in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue” (1 Cor 14:18-19).
Later, he summarises this relationship between tongues and prophecy: “So, my brethren, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues; but all things should be done decently and in order” (1 Cor 14:39).
In these passages we find the answer to your question. First, there is nothing wrong with speaking in tongues, which is a gift of the Holy Spirit. If the apostles had the gift on Pentecost and St Paul also had it, there can be nothing wrong with it.
Second, speaking in tongues is primarily directed to God in prayer, not to those present, and it is not meant to be understood by them. Many charismatics will acknowledge that this is exactly what happens in their meetings.
Someone prays in tongues and the others recognise that the Holy Spirit is truly present, moving the person to pray in that way. It fills the others with faith and gratitude for this manifestation of the Spirit.
Third, while the gift of tongues is important, much more important is the gift of prophecy, of communicating to others the word of God in order to instruct them. After all, this is what happened on Pentecost, when the apostles used the gift of tongues to enable those present to understand God’s message.
Finally, in a real sense, the whole Church today has the gift of tongues in that it speaks the language of every nation. A 6th century homily from an unknown African preacher expresses this truth: “Therefore if somebody should say to one of us, ‘You have received the Holy Spirit, why do you not speak in tongues?’ his reply should be, ‘I do indeed speak in the tongues of all men, because I belong to the body of Christ, that is, the Church, and she speaks all languages” (Sermo 8, 1-3).
For more, see Fr Flader’s blog at fatherfladerblog.wordpress.com or contact Fr Flader on frjflader@gmail.com.