Tower of BabelToday’s Old Testament Mass reading from Genesis features the famous building of the tower of Babel in an attempt to reach heaven by human power. God stops them by confusing their language, scattering them to the ends of the earth (Genesis 11:8-9).

Scholars have long noted that the account of Pentecost in Acts 2 is a reversal of the Babel event: People gathered from the ends of the earth in Jerusalem heard the Word of God proclaimed in their own language. They, in turn, were sent back to the four corners of the world, to proclaim the one message in many tongues. Why? So that humanity can truly be united as one (in the universal Church) on the journey toward heaven.

The difference? In Genesis people tried, as many still do today through various religious approaches, to reach God by dint of their own power and effort. Such an enterprise is doomed to failure. Pentecost proves, just as the Incarnation did, the difference of Christianity: God has descended, seeking us. We must not believe in our pride that we deserve heaven. We must stop trying to “make a name for ourselves” (Genesis 11:4). We must recognize this fact in all humility: there is only one name that matters – Jesus, the Christ. “There is no other name under heaven…by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

1 reply
  1. B.K.JOHN
    B.K.JOHN says:

    US President Obama mother and my mother top difference in USA worst history change the faith root !!!!!!!!
    40 year back start hope touch faith in God final reach :2011 end White House burning in economic crisis time its hand $ 16 trillion loose and so and so touch one year before vacate like wrath encounter situation. Top valuable pretty incredible at present time world front happen way US President Obama century touch real awake start[ “ during that period Hon’ble US President Reagan, asked what he felt was the most ” VITALFACTOR’ in international relations, spoke of the ‘ importance of frankness[ liberal]’ and about a desire for peaceful solutions. He went on to say that there had been ” about 114 wars” since world war11, including conflicts between smaller nations”] B.K.JOHN!

    you will receive such beautiful bungalows — without any cost [ US President Obama also today like }
    What is hope? To whom do you give the hope? To the hopeless one who has lost all hope, seeing the life and the competition and the continuous struggle for survival — to the one who has become hopeless.

    Karl Marx says also, “Religion is the hope of the hopeless.” It gives a certain consolation that, if not in this life … And this life is not much; most of it is already gone, maybe a few years more. Just a little patience and prayer and faith, and you will receive such beautiful bungalows — without any cost. Only faith is needed.

    Again, hope is not a contribution to humanity’s progress. It prevents progress. It makes people believe in dreams. They don’t start creating reality, transforming reality, changing the social structure, changing all institutions which create only misery and nothing else. Hope prevents them! Why bother?
    Revolution may come, but you will be gone. And in revolution, getting involved, you will not be able to pray, you will not be able to go to the church, you will not be able to have enough faith. If you have enough faith, then this society, this structure, is made by God; you have to be patient, it is a fire test for you — your poverty, your sickness, your death, everything. Just be quiet and have faith in God.
    Charity. A Christian mother was telling her small son, “It is your duty, being a faithful Christian, to share whatever you have with others. Charity is the foundation of our religion and faith !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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