Thursday, June 5, 2025  

Today's Scripture
Genesis 11:1–9

Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. And as they migrated from the east, they came upon a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. And they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.” And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar. Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves; otherwise we shall be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.” The Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which mortals had built. And the Lord said, “Look, they are one people, and they have all one language; and this is only the beginning of what they will do; nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. Come, let us go down, and confuse their language there, so that they will not understand one another’s speech.” So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. Therefore it was called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth; and from there the Lord scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth. (NRSV)

Reflection

I am a cradle Presbyterian, so in many ways being a member of Fourth Presbyterian Church is very comfortable to me. From our polity to our community outreach to our inspirational worship, Fourth Church to me is truly a light in the city.

At the same time, sometimes I wonder if my being comfortable is a good thing. Am I unknowingly enabling things that we as a community should be aspiring to grow away from? Do I sometimes get too wrapped up in the “excellence” at Fourth Church (excellent music, excellent preaching, excellent programs) that I lose sight of the true reason we are here?

In this passage the people in the land of Shinar all spoke the same language and set out to make a name for themselves by building a tower to the heavens. God recognized that they would ultimately become self-reliant. So God gave them different languages and scattered them over different lands.

At first glance, this seems to be an extremely disruptive act by God. But perhaps it is an act of grace. Perhaps God knew the people’s unity and self-reliance could be potentially oppressive. Maybe God wanted them to eventually celebrate differences and appreciate the uniqueness of humanity created in God’s image.

I pray that we as a community continue to aspire to embrace diversity, challenge systems of oppression, build bridges, and listen deeply to each other.

Prayer

Lord Almighty, help us appreciate and celebrate the differences in others. Thank you for the community we call the Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago. Walk with us as we aspire to move closer to you. Amen.  

Written by Anthony Hipp, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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