Above: The Ruins of the Tower of Babel, from Metropolis (1927)
A Screen Capture via PowerDVD
Unity in God
MAY 21 and 22, 2018
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The Collect:
Mighty God, you breathe life into our bones,
and your Spirit brings truth to the world.
Send us this Spirit,
transform us by your truth,
and give us language to proclaim your gospel,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.
–Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006), page 36
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The Assigned Readings:
Joel 2:18-29 (Protestant versification)/Joel 2:18-3:2 (Jewish, Roman Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox versification) (Monday)
Genesis 11:1-9 (Tuesday)
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b (Both Days)
1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (Monday)
1 Corinthians 12:12-27 (Tuesday)
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May the glory of the LORD endure for ever;
may the LORD rejoice in all his works.
–Psalm 104:32, The Book of Common Prayer (1979)
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The story of the Tower of Babel is a myth, a fictitious tale which contains much truth. In the brief narrative all humans speak one language and live in one city, which they consider to be impressive. Hubris is ubiquitous, but God is so far above (literally and figuratively) that God must descend to see the city. The divine will is that people spread out across the planet and not seek to glorify themselves. God, therefore, causes languages to arise and people to disperse. Their vainglorious goal becomes a dashed hope.
One of the principles of the Law of Moses is that people depend upon God for everything and upon each other. Teachings regarding human dependence on God and about interdependence contradict cherished American cultural ideas about self-made people and leave no room for human boasting. As St. Paul the Apostle wrote, the only proper boast is in God.
Placing the pericope from Genesis 11 on the day after Pentecost Sunday makes sense, for the narrative regarding that day in the Acts of the Apostles, with all of its poetic language (the sort of language best suited to convey the truth of day’s events), speaks of the reversal of the curse at the end of the Tower of Babel story. People remained scattered across the face of the planet, but they can understand the message of God in their languages. The multitude of languages persists, but confusion (at least on that day in Jerusalem) ends. And all this happens for the glory of God, not people.
The author of the Book of Joel, writing in the Persian period of Hebrew history, predicted a time when God would cease to send punishments and would extend extravagant mercy on the people of Judah again. Shame among the nations of the Earth would end and the divine spirit would fall upon all flesh. It is a promise not yet fully realized, but hopes for it are valid. Such unity in God remains for the future; Pentecost is just the beginning.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
MARCH 13, 2015 COMMON ERA
THE FEAST OF SAINTS PLATO OF SYMBOLEON AND THEODORE STUDITES, EASTERN ORTHODOX ABBOTS; AND SAINT NICEPHORUS OF CONSTANTINOPLE, PATRIARCH
THE FEAST OF SAINT HELDRAD, ROMAN CATHOLIC ABBOT
THE FEAST OF SAINTS RODERIC OF CABRA AND SOLOMON OF CORDOBA, ROMAN CATHOLIC MARTYRS
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https://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2015/03/17/unity-in-god/
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