​​​​​​​Subscribe
St. Nicholas Church Ann Arbor
  • About
  • Visit
  • Media
  • Membership
  • Ministries & Groups
  • Contact
  • Give

Lenten Messages

4th Thursday of Lent Message

3/26/2020

 
By Fr. Alex Radulescu - Today, I would like to draw your attention to the story of the tower of Babel, recorded in Genesis 11. Here is the story:
Picture
 
After the flood, Noah’s descendants spread around the world. People lived in harmony with God and among themselves. After a while, they settled in the land of Shinar (Babylon), a region of Mesopotamia, along the Euphrates river.
 
The people who settled in Shinar were clever. They discovered new techniques to build better, higher and faster. They used bricks and mortar (made of asphalt). We still use these building materials. For that time, it was quite amazing to have this advantage. 
 
And what did they decide to do? They said to each other: “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower, whose top will reach to heaven; and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth” (Gen 11:4).
 
But, stop for a second and think: what’s the problem with this statement? There are a few words here describing a desire to break away from God and seize autonomy: “ourselves,” “tower to reach heaven,” “make a name for ourselves,” “lest we be scattered.” Wow! What’s going on here? There are some similarities to the story of Adam & Eve when they are counseled by the devil to seize power and eat from the forbidden fruit and acquire for themselves the knowledge of good and evil… without God’ consent.
 
Let’s see what happens next in the story: God visits the city of Babel and takes an account of their wicked intentions. The consequence is real: they lose an important privilege: unity of language. God confuses their language and they scatter across the earth.
 
What do we learn from this story? Seems like we oftentimes take for granted God’s gifts to us: Adam & Eve had everything they needed from God and yet, they chose to disobey Him. People of Babel discovered a new technology which they quickly used to pump up their pride and build a tower to protect them from God’s impending punishment rather than use it for a better purpose.
 
No matter what situation we are in, today’s Scripture reading reminds us that pride and lack of trust in God’s care leads to a “scattering” of our own existence. God loves us and will provide for all our needs. There is no need to worry and lose hope. Let us build together with Him a tower… of faith. Amen.

Comments are closed.

    Authors

    Messages written by the clergy of our parish.

    Archives

    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020

    Categories

    All
    Daily Messages
    Eucharist
    Feasts
    Fr. Alex
    Fr. Nick
    Lenten Messages
    New Jerusalem
    Theotokos

    RSS Feed

HOME
 
ABOUT
​BELIEFS
An Introduction
Art & Architecture
Scripture
Church
Fasting
Godparenting​
History of Orthodoxy
House of God
​Hymnology​
Lent
Liturgy
Major Feasts
Other Services
Prayers
Sacraments​
Saints​
Services​
Spirituality
​Teachings
Twelve Apostles
Worship
​
Clergy
Contact us
Council
​Mission/Vision
Our Community
Pastoral Care
Patron Saint

​VISIT
Etiquette
​Visitors Info

MEDIA
Calendar
Calendar of Feasts
Great Lent Schedule
Great Lent Daily Messages
Compass Newsletter
News​
Photos
Podcasts
Sermons
Schedules
​​Sunday Bulletin
Videos
Webcam
​
MEMBERSHIP
Intro
Breeze
Stewardship
​Welcome Package

MINISTRIES
​EDUCATION
Bible Study
Church School
Greek School
Learning Videos
Oratorical Festival
​Scholarships
Vacation Church School
YOUTH
HOPE
JOY
GOYA
ADULTS
Cross+Way
The Men's Group
OCF
Orthoblaze
​Orthodox Dads
Orthodox Moms
Philoptochos
Seniors​

SERVICE
Altar Acolytes
Bookstore
Internet
Music
Outreach & Evangelism
Volunteer Opportunities
Ushers

CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS​
AHEPA
DOP

RESOURCES
Documents & Forms
Publications
Useful Links

SPECIAL EVENTS
Iconography
Greek Festival
​
Strategic Planning
Solar Project
 
CONTACT
Church Office
Fr. Nick
​Subscribe

​GIVE
ANN ARBOR
© 2024
​
Church Address
​Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
3109 Scio Church Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Phone: (734) 332-8200
​Fax: (734) 332-8201

NEW MAILING ADDRESS
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
P.O. Box 1033
Ann Arbor, MI  48106

Directions
Picture
  • About
  • Visit
  • Media
  • Membership
  • Ministries & Groups
  • Contact
  • Give