St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church

May the Spirit of the Lord give is His peace.

Babel reversed, making room, sent with keys.

Babel reversed. You may remember the story of how vain the people of Babel were in the book of Genesis. They were so impressed with themselves and the tower they built that God sent a confusing mess to them causing them to be unable to understand each other. They said,

"Let us build a tower up to the heavens, let us make a name for ourselves."

And there they were, self satisfied, their big tower, not in need of God.

So God made them babble and not understand. They were divided.

But God would not allow the human family to be without a second chance.

Yes God is the God of second chances. Are we ready for ours? Right here, right now. God might melt the division in marriage, between parents and children, between employees and bosses, might bring a reversal.

He causes a great wind - like that wind that moved upon the waters at the dawn of creation. He lets you and I feel the same winds of change. God's creative power is now growing bonds where brokenness was. Bridge maker, babel kicker, joiner, maker of a way. We can hear better, and understand deeply. Come Holy Spirit! Reverse all babel.

Making room. There are two things that happen here at St. Anthony's that I have not seen in 24 years of public ministry. Honesty and humility. I have seen rich and poor, all colors, even people from Easely, all broken enough to want no more games, no more airs, no more faking. This hard earned humility makes room for a Spirit other than our own. We are sick of our own, it doesn't work. We just end up babbling. A fancy car driving person with a frown on. A really big TV and no friends, all the gadgets, all the right meetings, and no love. We're so done with that.

Now because all are one in Jesus, now because our value comes from His blood poured out for us, now because we admit we are NOT "all that" there is room for Him, for His Spirit in us. We're making room and the Church is reborn in this honesty and humility. You can feel its life here.

It isn't about me, you or them. It is about HIM. Come Holy Spirit. Help me keep making room by knowing who I am, and who you are. In all honesty and humility I see that we are your children, adopted, one.

Sent with keys. Once the babbling is reversed with God coming and our receiving His Holy Spirit, once the honesty and humility have been established, we are then sent to free the others in the power of His Spirit.

"He breathed on them and said, Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them." Now, WE get to go free THEM! Imagine God working through us to bring life to His people. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of ___ (life). A people will come to believe by the forgiveness of their sins. Look for sorrow, see contrition, lead people to new life, begin again. A second chance God is at work in you now! Unlock people from the prison of their thoughts and fears!

Come Holy Spirit, feel Jesus' words, "Peace be with you." Your sins are forgiven you.

We have the reversal, we have made the room for Him, now we carry the keys. Run from here, let's unlock as many as we can! Even the one in the mirror. We are being prepared so He can come and bring us home.

Don't you want to go home? It is the birthday of the Church. Be the gift.