Faith speaks love and peace in many languages. Different faiths are often assumed to lead to competition or conflict. But each of the world religious faiths speak of love and peace.

Even if the message has sometimes been twisted to support violence and war. Conflict is often caused by fear and misunderstanding. Different languages can lead to a lack of understanding and so create suspicion and divisions.

Christians recently celebrated Pentecost (50 days after Easter, in parallel with the Jewish festival after Passover). It is a reversal of the myth of the Tower of Babel, when pride and different languages divided humanity. On the day of Pentecost the followers of Jesus, inspired by the Spirit, spoke of their faith in Jesus and were heard by people from all over the known world speaking in their own languages.

Another festival celebrated recently was the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, Hajj. Every Muslim who can is required to complete the pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime. Millions travel from all over the world, yet find unity together.

Unity in faith can be described using the word Ubuntu. It comes from Xhosa and Zulu and means: togetherness despite all the differences we have, or “humanity towards others” or “I am because we are”.

Even in Leighton Linslade there can be misunderstanding of people of different faith traditions. But at a meeting of church leaders this month, there was a clear commitment to work together and avoid competing with one another. There was a renewed sense of wishing to serve the community, speaking with one voice of love and peace to our neighbours.

In our world where war seems to be pandemic, people of faith need to speak in all languages of love for their neighbour. We are not all the same, but we are equal in the sight of God. Two cornerstones of faith are – do not kill and love your neighbour as you love yourself.