Why can’t we all just get along?

In today’s first reading (Genesis 11:1-9) we have the famous account of the tower of Babel and the confusion of human language.

Many times in human history, and most especially in our own day, there are great efforts to unify all of humanity. It sounds like a wonderful goal, but humanity never makes the progress it should.

The pattern of Babel persists: people are joined together, either by force or agreement, to achieve some great end, make progress, but eventually conflict arises.

The confusion of language ultimately arises from the confusion of men’s hearts that in turn arises from sin. In the sinful condition of humanity after the Fall desire conflicts with desire and even human perception and reason is clouded over. This tendency within individuals becomes exponentially stronger within groups.

The answer to the problem of Babel is alignment of all desires and all people with the true Good, which is God. The way to this answer lies in God’s truth and grace.

Where there is conflict, dialogue and cooperation are useful, but we will “get along” truly and fully only in and through God.