They shall be one, as We are...

I have reproduced here the beautiful homily which Pope Benedict XVI gave on the Feast of the Pentecost. It shows his depth of wisdom and the keen insight he has into our current culture.

Babel, is the description of a kingdom in which people have concentrated so much power they think they no longer need depend on a God who is far away. They believe they are so powerful they can build their own way to heaven in order to open the gates and put themselves in God's place. But it's precisely at this moment that something strange and unusual happens. While they are working to build the tower, they suddenly realise they are working against one another. While trying to be like God, they run the risk of not even being human – because they've lost an essential element of being human: the ability to agree, to understand one another and to work together.

Progress and science have given us the power to dominate the forces of nature, to manipulate the elements, to reproduce living things, almost to the point of manufacturing humans themselves. In this situation, praying to God appears outmoded, pointless, because we can build and create whatever we want. 

We don't realize we are reliving the same experience as Babel. It's true, we have multiplied the possibilities of communicating, of possessing information, of transmitting news – but can we say our ability to understand each other has increased? Or, paradoxically, do we understand each other even less?  

He concludes by saying, "Unity can only exist as a gift of God's Spirit." 

“This is what happened at Pentecost.” 

I think we must believe that even today the Spirit moves and makes unity possible. Under Pope Benedict's rule, we have already seen the Anglicans return to Rome. Now, (I hope) the SSPX will soon join our fold. To whom can we credit this to, if not to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and Peter's successor.

Pope Benedict XVI, long may he reign!

Wither goest thou...Lord?

Quo vadis Domine?

According to Christian tradition, Saint Peter was fleeing from likely crucifixion in Rome, and along the road outside the city he meets a risen Jesus. Peter asks Jesus "Quo vadis?", to which He replies, "Romam vado iterum crucifigi." ("I am going to Rome to be crucified again"). Peter, thereby gains the courage to continue his ministry and returns to the city, to eventually be martyred by being crucified upside-down.

 Umm...

Christian walk requires a constant status update from the Almighty- are we are going where we want in the Lord's name or are we are going where the Lord wants us to go.

The first statement implies a good intent, a desire to do good and the second implied God's work. What the difference, you ask?


Plentiful!!!


All of God's work is good, but not all good work is from God's. Sounds heretical? Let me show you why not.


Saul was a devout, learned Pharisee rather (in)famous for his persecution of the followers of 'The Way' in Acts 8:1-3. Not only were they perverting the Jewish religion, they were deceiving thousands of Jews into their new community. He was doing a lot of good work...for God.


But was this really God's will? God's work? 


We all know what happened next. The Damascus moment...course correction...and finally, St.Paul, Pillar of the Church. God's work brings forth good fruit.


This dilemma is a particular plague for those of us who love to serve and find great joy in giving. We tend to take on more good causes, missions, ministries than what we have been called to do. God doesn't like deceiving you. He let's you have your way till you realise that things are getting too much and you don't know what you have done wrong. Where are all the fruits of my labour?


Of course, this must not be confused with those who are called to tireless service. St.Anthony of Padua, Blessed Mother Therese of Calcutta, St. Terese of Avila, in fact lot of the saints have been called to labour deep and long in the Lord's vineyard. The difference between them and what I am referring to is a) it was the Lord's calling (not just one's good intent alone), b) because it is the Lord who calls, he provides you with adequate strength and grace to carry out the appointed task. He goes ahead of you and prepares the field for you to sow the good seed. A mission from the Lord always brings forth the Fruits of the Spirit and strong virtue takes deep root.


On the other hand, a classical sign of just plain 'ol good work is, if after all the good work you have done you find yourself worn-out, perpetually tired, grumpy, irritable, with no time or patience for your spouse and family. That would be a good time to ask, "Quo Vadis, Domine." 


...and take the course correction, of course.