Amid the Babel of Our Lives

The first reading at the Pentecost vigil is the story of the Tower of Babel. Placed after the flood, the sons of Noah plotted to build a great city and tower in defiance of God. They were confused about the most important things in their lives. They sought glory and honor for themselves and forgot God. In his mercy, God confused their language, spreading them across the world. In Hebrew, babel is the word for “confusion”, hence the name Tower of Babel, since their language was confused at that place.

God never does anything arbitrarily; his punishments are more healing than our medicine. By focusing on their ability to communicate, we can see how their use of language was corrupted. When we use words, we refer to the world around us. When I say “I see a tree”, I tell you something about the world as it is. If I said “I see a lion” but did not in fact see a lion, I would be lying to you. Ever since the Fall, man’s temptation has been to use language to manipulate others and the world. Reality is no longer the standard by which language is judged, but by whether or not it can move people to do things. They didn’t praise God with their language, they used it to lie to each other and usurp God.

To live amid this fallenness can be disheartening. So many of the words we hear are an echo of Babel. Mindless advertisements, ideological slogans, and consumerist drivel all create a cacophony of noise. It can be difficult parsing through what is true and what is false in the world. Yet God has not left us alone. We have an advocate. After the confusion of Babel comes the clarity of the Holy Spirit. Whereas all languages were scattered, the gift of Tongues reunites them in their original unity.

The Holy Spirit has been poured out upon the earth. Through daily cultivation of the gift of the Holy Spirit, a gift that is renewed through the sacraments, especially Confession, we can begin to discern the words of the evil one from the Word of God – Christ. With God comes simplicity and peace. The clamor and confusion of babel have been overcome by the Spirit of Truth.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful
and kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created,
and you shall renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray.
O God, who has taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit,
grant that in the same Spirit we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in his consolation.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

MASS ON MEMORIAL DAY
Monday, May 29; 8am at Holy Angels
(No Mass at SFC or Saint Mary’s on Memorial Day)

COMMUNITY NEWS & EVENTS

Respect Life Church Hall Meeting
Saturday, June 17, 2023
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
St. Mary's Visitation Catholic Church (Atrium)
1260 Church St, Elm Grove WI
All are welcome, and there is no charge to attend.
Registration is requested at tinyurl.com/3kthznyx

Catholic Prayer Hour
Consider joining a group of Catholics who gather to pray:
Every Saturday from Noon to 1:00 on 7th & Paradise.
Park behind Hobby Lobby.  Join whenever you can!
For more details, contact Jean at jburyjsd@hotmail.com

Help Wanted
Holy Trinity Parish in Newburg is looking for someone to work
1 day/week for 4-5 hrs doing lawn care. $12/hr; Summer only.
Contact Fr. Zerkel at 414-530-9720

Catholic Charities now has an office in West Bend at 724 Elm Street; 262-346-4700.

We provide Case Management services free of charge as well as behavioral health counseling on a sliding fee schedule.  No one is turned down due to an inability to pay.  Catholic Charities has the following items available at no cost at our Washington County Office: personal care items, cleaning supplies, laundry soap, soup and oatmeal packets. 

The Clothes Closet
at Salem UCC, Wayne; just north of the HwyH/Cty Rd W intersection.  
Everything is FREE: Clothing from infant to adult sizes.
Open Alternating Mondays 9:30-11am; 2nd Thursdays 3:30-5pm; 1st and 3rd Saturdays 10:30-12noon
Call 262-665-2367.

Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity
invite Catholic Single Women 20-35 to discern and discover in-person or on-line. For more information visit https://fscc-calledtobe.org or call/text Sister Julie Ann at 920-323-9632.

Casa Guadalupe Volunteer Opportunities

Read to Succeed, Childcare, and Homework Help needed.
Contact http://www.casaguadalupeonline.org/ to learn more.

Grief Support Groups-

5th Avenue Methodist Church; 323 S. 5th Avenue in West Bend

First Thursday of the Month 6:30pm-8:00pm
Questions? Call 262-306-2691

or

FORMED.org offers a Catholic program titled
“Grieving with Hope” for free and can be done at home.

Interfaith Caregivers

Connecting Seniors with Caring Volunteers.  
This organization provides local opportunities for both volunteers and recipients.  They bring non-medical care, such as light housekeeping, grocery shopping, transportation, or just a friendly visit to Seniors who could benefit from resources necessary to remain independent.  To register as a volunteer or recipient, call them at 262-365-0902. 

Worldwide Marriage Encounter-
Promotes experiences for couples who want to
make their good marriage even better. Visit http://www.wwme.org/ for details.

Retrouvaille-Help for your Marriage
Please call (414) 502-7685 or email: Milwaukee@HelpOurMarriage.org or visit the website at http://www.HelpOurMarriage.org

St. Dymphna Mental Health Group
1st and 3rd Mondays of the month at 1pm
Saint Mary's of the Hill Parish
Contact Kim Geisler at 262-229-0821 or mikey28.max@gmail.com