A Prayer To End Babel
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This past Sunday was Pentecost Sunday. On that day we celebrated the pouring out of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles in the form of tongues of fire. When the apostles spoke, there was no confusion. Everyone present heard and understood them. The word babel is defined as: a scene of noise or confusion. Today our world seems more confused than ever. It is time, once again, to invite the Holy Spirit into our hearts. Please read more.
In Genesis 11:1-9, we read about the tower of Babel. According to the story, at that time the whole world spoke the same language and used the same words. The people took their eyes off of God and decided to make a name for themselves by building a great city with a tower with its top in the sky. Metaphorically speaking, they were relying on their own abilities and essentially building a monument to human accomplishment. Doesn’t that sound just like our world today? Therefore, God confused their language because He knew that later on they would stop at nothing in pursuit of their own desires.
Stop and look around at the world today. Aren’t we as a society far more self-focused rather than God focused? When we see some of the crazy notions being put forth in the world today, it might cause us to ask ourselves this question, “Is our world filled with a cacophony of meaningless babel?”
Now, let’s go back and reflect for a moment on the birthday of the Church, the first Pentecost. In John 20:19-23, we read that on the first day of the week, when the doors were locked, out of fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” After showing them His hands and His side, Jesus breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
Act 2:1-11 tells the story this way. “When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.” We are told that everyone present heard them speaking in his own language.
When we compare the Genesis story to the Pentecost stories found in John and Acts, I believe we can draw this conclusion. When we humans focus on ourselves and our abilities and desires, we can easily become lost, confused, and filled with babel. When we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us, we find direction in life, we are less confused, we understand the voice of God with more clarity, and we become better equipped to share the good news of Jesus with the world.
Here are a few more Bible verses regarding the Holy Spirit:
- In John 14:26 Jesus assured us that the Holy Spirit will guide us in truth.
- In Acts 2:38 Peter tells us that when we were Baptized, we received the gift of the Holy Spirit
- In John 14:16 Jesus informs us that the Holy Spirit will be our Advocate.
- In 1 Corinthians 6:19 Paul states, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?”
- In Romans 8:26 we read, “In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings.”
- In Ephesians 1:13 we find the assurance that through the Holy Spirit we have been sealed with the knowledge of our salvation by Jesus Christ.
- In Acts 1:8 we read that it is through the Holy Spirit that we have the power to spread the Gospel.
Hopefully we all agree that we need the Holy Spirit in our lives. Paul tells us in Galatians 5:22-23 that the fruits of the Holy Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. So, in conclusion, if we desire to be filled with these fruits of the Holy Spirit and if we desire to be less susceptible to the babbling nonsense of those who are trying to build towers in a godless world, let’s invite the Holy Spirit into our lives each day with this prayer:
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of us Your faithful and kindle in us the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Spirit and we shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth. O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit instructs the hearts of the faithful, grant, that by the same Holy Spirit, we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolations, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
AMDG
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Thanks Brian,
Yes, we need to invite the Holy spirit into our lives, even in the spirit pushes us out of our comfort zones. Thanks for a great reminder.
Amen to that Jim!
Brian,
Greetings from Minnesota.
Thank you for a concise message and distinction between babble and Holy Spirit. A good gathering of key quotes about the Holy Spirit. How awesome that we are temples of her presence and gifts. You have been a great witness to the power of the Holy Spirit.
Fr. Virgil, osc
Fr. Virgil
Thank you for your post and kind words. May God continue to bless your work in His name.
Brian
Brian, I, like most I’m sure, struggle to be more God-focused. And lately, I am trying to be more aware of the Holy Spirit in me and in others. Here is part of a stewardship reflection that I pray can help us all live a more intentional discipleship:
1 Corinthians 12:7 To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.
We are all, each of us, filled with the Holy Spirit – just for the asking. What would your life and our world look like if you embraced that truth and surrendered to the Holy Spirit with boldness and courage? Your life would be so filled with joy that you couldn’t help but praise God and love your neighbor. In that, the Holy Spirit would renew the face of the earth.
Joe
Thanks for a great post!
Brian
Dear Brother in Christ,
Brian I needed this today as I do all other days when I am blessed by the Spirit in you through your writings.
The way you lead your life is a model for me and I am sure the thousands who know you.
Barrie
Thank you for your very kind words. I am humbled by them.
Brian
Another beautiful writing. You have such a wonderful way of explaining things. Thank you.
Thanks Pat!