The Paradox of Power

February 21, 2025 Friday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Daily Readings: Genesis 11:1-9; Mark 8:34-9:1

The narratives of the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9) and Jesus’ teachings (Mark 8:34-9:1) present contrasting visions of human ambition and divine purpose. In Genesis, humanity, unified in language and purpose, seeks to build a tower to the heavens—a symbol of self-reliance and defiance against God. Perceiving this as a threat, God confuses their language and scatters them, halting their project. Though this act appears punitive, it is ultimately an act of grace, preventing humanity from uniting in prideful autonomy.

In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus calls His followers to a different kind of building—one rooted in self-denial, taking up the cross, and following Him. This path, though seemingly one of loss, paradoxically leads to true life. While Babel’s builders sought to ascend through their own efforts, Jesus calls His disciples to descend in humility, acknowledging their dependence on God. The "shame" of embracing a crucified Messiah contrasts sharply with the pride of those who sought to make a name for themselves.

Jesus' promise that some will see the Kingdom of God come with power before they die suggests that this humble path leads to a greater and more lasting reality than any earthly tower. Babel reflects a humanity fractured by sin and pride; Jesus, in contrast, offers a unity founded on self-sacrifice and divine grace. Whereas Babel represents a horizontal unity—humanity united against God—the Kingdom embodies a vertical unity, a scattered humanity reconciled with Him.

A Call to Action for Catholic Living: Reject the pride of self-reliance and embrace the way of Christ—humility, sacrifice, and true unity in God’s Kingdom.