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     One of the various charisms in the Church is the speaking and praying in tongues. Some extreme charismatics hold the position that one is not really united in the Spirit unless he or she possesses the gift of tongues. Some Christians who had this gift b elievers that they were holier than those who did not. This issue was leading to serious disunity and confusion among the Corinthians. St. Paul writes: “Let all things be done for edification. If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three . . .; and let one interpret. But if there is no one to interpret, let each one of them keep silence in Church and speak to himself and so to God. For God is not a God of confusion, but of peace.” (1Cor 14: 26-28, 33)

     It is not the gift of tongues that makes one a “super Christian.” If this is a gift for the building up of the Church, which all the charisms  of the Holy Spirit are to be, then it is to remain a private matter between the person and God if there is no one to interpret for the Church what is being said. When a person receives the gift of tongues, it is for the glory of God, not the person. Of all the charisms of the Church, this appears to be the most mysterious. Therefore, it is also the one that needs to be clearly discerned. For Paul, every believer possesses different gifts from the Holy Spirit. May we be grateful for these gifts and humbly use them to glorify God and build up the Church.