Le langage de l'amour

The whole word spoke the same language, using the same words.
- Genesis 11:1

Wouldn't it be nice if we all spoke the same language? Life would be so much easier, wouldn't it? Learning a second language is hard, and communicating with someone who doesn't speak your language can be frustrating.

There are times when this is not a problem though. Have you ever been to mass in a foreign country? Or attended mass celebrated in a foreign language? Did you have any trouble following along? I would guess not. The Catholic Mass is celebrated the same way throughout the whole world, so even if you don't understand the words, you know what is happening. This is one of the things I love about our church. No matter where you go in the world, there is always a place you can call home, where you will be welcomed, and where the love of Christ and the worship of God transcends language.

There is a language that everybody understands though: love. The language of love is universal. Acts of kindness are always recognized and understood. Sometimes we don't really understand people even when they speak our own language. But we understand love. When we work together through love, we have no problem communicating.

When the people of Babel tried to build themselves up, God knocked them down and confused their language. If all we want to achieve is our own greatness, we will never succeed. But when we come together to worship God, as in the mass, we understand everything we need to. And when we work together in love, there is nothing we can't do.