In the beginning, the whole world spoke the same language. With all the world’s languages today this certainly seems very odd to us. So why did God confuse the language of the people in the world? Why did he have them speak different languages? Our first reading suggests that God did this so we couldn’t create great cities and “make a name for ourselves” – so we wouldn’t become prideful. However, looking around the world today we see that we have indeed built enormous cities in spite of the different languages we speak. Additionally, pride seems to be running rampant across the world today. So what’s the deal? Perhaps God wanted us to choose the language of love – the language of his Son.
The Language of Emotions
There does appear to be a universal language today – the language of emotions. Emotions, after all, are much bigger than words. Emotions can be our guide to understanding others, yet, like any language, we must learn the language before we can understand the message another is trying to convey.
We lay witness to the emotions of another simply by observing and listening to them. Lately I have been watching the news on TV a bit – something I normally try to avoid because there seems to be a lot of negativity in it. Yet, the angry protests, the out of control riots, and the division amongst people I have witnessed on the TV screen all reveal to me individuals speaking (screaming) through the language of emotions. This also reminds me of humanity’s need for a deep, abiding passionate love and our need to belong to something bigger than ourselves.
The Raging Battle
To many, the world seems to be in a downward spiral, maybe it is. Many believe we are in the last days, maybe we are. Of course we will not know the date or time of the end of the world – all we can do is focus on the world we are living in now and do our part to bring forth healing. Through it all we must always remember that we are not fighting the flesh – rather we are fighting against powers beyond our human sight. When there is chaos or discord you can bet that there are forces at work that seek to kill and destroy God’s children. We can let the language of emotions be our guide here.
For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 (RSVCE)
As I look at those rioters and the angry protestors I see individuals carrying internal wounds – wounds that only Christ can heal. You see, when anger and hate are in one’s heart love cannot abound within. Love is gentle, love is kind and love is of God – the gentleman who will not barge into your life without permission. I invite you to compare angry protesters for a moment to the individuals who participated in the March for Life in Washington DC last month. I personally see a rather stark contrast in the emotions expressed between the two groups.
Going Home
Jesus told us that to be his disciples we must deny ourselves, pick up our cross and follow him. Again, our emotions can be our guide. Anytime we are experiencing an emotion that is incongruent with love we know we are not fully orientated towards Jesus. Emotions such as fear, hate, anger, and shame all fall into this category. These emotions are signposts that point to internal wounds that need healing, healing that only Jesus can facilitate. When we pick up our cross we surrender our internal wounds to Jesus and we allow him to use them for our transformation.
Remember, Jesus did not carry his cross for the sake of the pain it caused. Rather, he carried it for the joy that was set before him – the salvation of God’s children. Likewise our cross is not simply our pain, our cross offers us the promise of new life that can only be found in Jesus Christ. While our cross will include pain – physical, emotional and spiritual, it doesn’t stop there. Yes, we must endure such pain; however, like Jesus, joy is always set before us.
Looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 (RSVCE)
Loving Another
The path home to Jesus Christ is a path full of brotherly and yes, passionate, love. This is the love that Jesus has for each and every one of us – a love so strong that he died for us. You see, when we experience the deep abiding love that we all seek, the love of Jesus, something much bigger then ourselves is at play. Using the language of emotions we can understand where we are on our journey. The more love we experience in our hearts the closer we are to home.
Praying With Love
Praying with love is a gift we give ourselves and the world. I invite you to unite with me and pray for the rioters, the protestors and those who experience division within their hearts (myself included). Yes, we speak different languages today; however, we can let the language of emotions be our guide into prayer. As we witness the pain in others we can choose to pray for them, for ourselves, and for the world so that Jesus can bring forth the healing the world desperately needs today.
Perhaps ask Jesus to more fully conform your heart to his Sacred Heart so that you can come to experience true, passionate love as well. This has been my personal prayer lately.
The Nine Faces of Struggle
Sometimes we will become “stuck”, not knowing how to escape from pain and heartache. As human beings we walk around in a world filled with emotions that run counter to love. Over my years of practice I have identified what I call the “Nine Faces of Struggle”. These are common blocks I have witnessed that serve to separate individuals from the healing balm of love. Here is the link if you would like to learn more: The Nine Faces of Struggle
I hope you find your way home towards the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ – the one who is love himself. May you speak and think words of love, forgiveness and mercy as you sing and praise of God’s glory! – Carolyn
Sacred Heart of Jesus – have mercy on us.
Mother Mary – pray for us.
Saint Paul – pray for us
The Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order pray for us
Today’s Readings Genesis 11:1-9; Psalm 33:10-11, 12-13, 14-15; Alleluia – John 15:15B; Mark 8:34-9:1
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