By the Rivers of Babylon

 

“The Babylonian captivity is a type of our spiritual captivity.”
-- Saint Hilary

 

Psalm 137: 1-6

By the rivers of Babylon
there we sat and wept,
remembering Zion;
on the poplars that grew there
we hung up our harps.

For it was there that they asked us,
our captors, for songs,
our oppressors, for joy.
“Sing to us,” they said,
“one of Zion’s songs.”

O how could we sing
the song of the Lord
on alien soil?
If I forget you, Jerusalem,
let my right hand wither!

O let my tongue
cleave to my mouth
if I remember you not,
if I prize not Jerusalem
above all of my joys!

 

Psalm Prayer

Lord, remember your pilgrim Church.  We sit weeping
at the streams of Babylon.  Do not let us be drawn
into the current of the passing world, but free us
from every evil and raise our thoughts to
the heavenly Jerusalem.

 

I read the above words at the start of today’s Evening Prayer.  The psalm and prayer resonated in my heart.  We are at such a time again.

We’ve read in the Gospels how we must put our love of God --- AND, His love for us --- above all things, and all people, even family and friends.  Back then, in Babylon, as now, it is hard.  We are captured in a foreign culture, a Babylon, not of our choosing, how can we sing with them our songs of praise, turning them into common entertainment?  That seeks to make our God as no one special, pointing to His teachings --- ones they disagree with --- as examples of why He can’t be God because He doesn’t love every sinner, and sin.  Or worse, as proof there is no God, because “I know better” than the billions of believers before me.  Even some alcoholics, some drug addicts, some pedophiliacs, and some kleptomaniacs recognize sin as contrary to human nature --- as God created it to be --- and try to change. 

And others tell us to accept them and their sins, because “that’s just who I am.”  And like the rich man, who felt he was being asked by Jesus to give up too much, many of us find ourselves saying that He is asking too much of us.  “They’re my friends.  They’re my children.  They’re good people.”

Except for those sins.

So many of us ignore what God said, for love of our children or friends.  We change, because they won’t.  And we begin singing songs together again, like we always used to sing, now in Babylon.  And we convince ourselves it’s the same song.

Are You An Alien?

Imagine an alien was discovered living in our world.  Maybe he (or it) lived way out in the woods, or under the sea.  Maybe he lived in caves or underground.  Maybe they lived in groups of male and female, each living with a different focus, perhaps collecting reproductive eggs once a year and putting them in a hole, where they could unite and grow up, alone, without guidance, and they learn what comes naturally, while not being a trouble to their “parents”.  And, maybe when we start to be able to communicate with them, we find that they are more intelligent than any AI we could produce.

What would the internet headlines be?  What would be the chatter?  What would you think --- especially if they were found in your back yard?

I don’t know the answer to any of those questions, but the thoughts came to me after reading some articles, written by people who seem to represent a growing part of our culture.  They speak about what a person is, and heavily emphasize the importance of each person --- to themselves --- as they move to be who or what they want to be.  Not part of any generational group, any religion, or even any sex.  They are who they want to be, and live as they want to live.  They write of this proudly.

They live in different lifestyles.  They seek friends with only people who largely think as they do, although they treasure their independence, not wanting to be a part of any “clique.”  They set their own goals, and standards.  Many seem very intelligent.  And most live alone, are alone, and sound very lonely.  They sound not too different than the description written above of an alien.  They act as if they are from another planet, because human life on this planet has evolved, and has faith in God.  They reject any evolutionary history, or faith.  They will be who they want to be.  They create themselves.  They act as if they each were the sole God of the universe.

But there is one thing they truly are each unique on, something they seem to not have thought about, or put any importance to.  They speak as if they have no ultimate purpose, no reason for existing, now or in the future.  “I have no purpose” --- it sounds like almost a perfect reason for suicide, whether just for myself or taking the whole world with me.  Why not?

Is this the track of those who must get their way --- and think you must agree?  Being intelligent, how can they think that only 10 or 15 years ago they suddenly leaped the slow track of evolution or growth in faith or wisdom, but suddenly THEY KNOW. 

Evolution of species talks about survival of the fittest.  The Christian faith talks about growing in faith, holiness, and into eternal life.  Human life has always been seen as having a purpose, as had all of God’s creation.  And starting with the Jewish people, God taught them that purpose, and with Jesus Christ, showed it to them.  Putting it simply, He showed how God loves us, and we should grow in love of Him and each other, until our ultimate union as one, in Love. With Him.

If we choose to be one in ourselves, we certainly are an alien to this human race and its evolution.  We could go to another planet, and yes, we could commit suicide --- because we don’t belong here, OR, we can start at the beginning again, to see where we lost track.  Who is that God?  What can He do for me?  What does He want me to do?  Why?

And in His answer to that “why”, we will find meaning and purpose to life.  And great joy, and expectation of never-ending joy, beyond our imagination.

And get back on that track to being fully human, and part of the human family again.

 

A Call to Action

 

We were discussing the New Evangelization.  What’s new?  What needs to be changed in this post-Christian culture, and how do we go about it?  At one point I considered the simple things I can and try to do.  I attribute the good things that I end up doing these days as being not my ideas but the result of a “nudge” from the Holy Spirit.  In my heart, I think that over the many years I’ve been blessed to live, that I have grown some spiritually --- something we are all called to do --- so my accomplishments are nothing special, or I shouldn’t think of them that way.  I’ve just become more who I was created to be --- with still a long way to go.  But I had further thoughts, on my earlier years.  Was the Holy Spirit there then, giving me “nudges” which I just shrugged off, for one reason or another?  From a faith perspective, I know God was always there for me, even when I didn’t perceive His presence.  And thinking on those earlier years of mine, I think perhaps I DID perceive his presence, but I didn’t know it was Him.

“Someone ought to do something about that.”  “Someone should help that man.”  “Someone tell them not to swear like that.”  Thinking back, I can’t begin to count how many times I’ve spoken or thought those words over the years.  And I can’t recall any responses I made when those words were said by someone else, except my saying “Yeh, I agree.  That’s terrible.”  And moved on.

I wondered if the Holy Spirit WAS giving me “nudges” in my younger life.  Thinking back, I now think I can say with conviction (and sadness): “Yes, He was.”  That “someone” I often called for was me, and I ignored the nudge to action.  So many, many times.  I did nothing.

“Someone should help that person?”  It’s a call to action --- for you also.  When you hear or think those words, don’t let the opportunity slip by.