I couldn’t stand it. I’ve been eyeing that  book, A Catholic Introduction to the Bible: Old Testament, by John Bergsma and Brant Pitre, and I finally bought the Kindle version. (Yes, I did want the Verbum edition, but I have no idea when that will be out or even if it will be. And patience is not my strong suit.)

One of the first things I did when I started reading this one was run a search for Pentecost. One of the search results, a passage worth quoting at length, was about Pentecost as the undoing of the Tower of Babel. (Links at the end of this post.)

“The Tower of Babel and the Feast of Pentecost: Finally, the Tower of Babel narrative (Gen 11:1-9) is the first of four optional first readings for the Vigil Mass of Pentecost. The Tower of Babel, as mentioned above, forms an important backdrop for understanding the significance of Pentecost. The Acts of the Apostles notes that representatives of all nations were present to witness the apostle’s preaching (Acts 2:5) and notes their ironic bewilderment at being able to understand one another’s “languages” or “tongues” (see Acts 2:6). Moreover, the Acts of the Apostles then enumerates a lengthy list of the nations from which those who experience the miracle are drawn (Acts 2:9-11), almost as if deliberately alluding to (although abbreviating) the so-called “Table of Nations” in Genesis 10. By placing the Feast of Pentecost against the backdrop of the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and the gift of “tongues”, the Lectionary is reflecting the ancient Christian tradition that views the event of Pentecost as nothing less than the undoing of the Tower of Babel that will begin the reunification of the human family through the mission and witness of the apostolic Church.”

A Catholic Introduction to the Bible: The Old Testament, by John Bergsma and Brant Pitre. Ignatius Press. Kindle Edition. Location 2650  of 30084.

More interesting things for Pentecost:

• Pope Benedict gave a reflection on Pentecost and Babel a few years ago but I just found it tonight.
• A reflection by Fr. Brian Mullady, OP.
• A National Catholic Register post about the Pentecost vigil (Wish I’d found this earlier.)
• Also see the Third Glorious Mystery in the Rosary Project on this site.
• Building the Way to Heaven: The Tower of Babel and Pentecost, by Maura Roan McKeegan. This looks like a beautiful children’s book. I may get a copy for myself. Hardcover. Paperback. Kindle.
• A Catholic Introduction to the Bible: Old Testament, by John Bergsma and Brant Pitre. Hardcover. Kindle.

Thank you for visiting and reading. Until next time, whoever and wherever you are, may the Lord bless you and may His peace be always with you. Have a blessed Pentecost, y’all!

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