Magnifica Humanitas: Babel vs. Nehemiah

In his very first encyclical, Pope Leo XIV brings to mind two opposing constructions that took place in the Old Testament. The first example occurs very early on in the history of man. Genesis 11:1-9 depicts the scene where God’s people decide to build a tower that could reach the heavens in order to demonstrate their power and authority. They were unified in one language, mission, and purpose, but they did not unite themselves with God; they prioritized their agenda over inclusion and communion. The Lord recognized the evil path down which the people were headed, so he came down, confused their language, and scattered them across the earth. The Pope explains that this is a warning for the world today, for “when a city is built on pride and the claim to self-sufficiency, communication breaks down, languages are confused and people no longer understand each other.” The Tower of Babel is an example to us all of what happens when we decide to allow self-exaltation, efficiency, and power to rule the world instead of truth and righteousness.

The story of Nehemiah rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, however, shows us how to correctly act as a society united with God. The narrative begins amidst devastation as Jerusalem had been taken over by the Babylonians and the city laid in ruins. Once Nehemiah had heard the news, he wept for his people; he fasted and prayed before the Father who then put it in his heart to go to Jerusalem so that he may rebuild it. The rebuilding was not merely of stones, however, for Nehemiah prioritized rebuilding the community first. He graciously met with the families and each person was given a section of the wall to rebuild. The effort was not completed by the work of one holy man alone, but by the entire city who played their part. Their enemies then heard of their plan and were extremely frustrated; they plotted an attempt to attack Jerusalem and “cause confusion to it” (Neh 4: 8), but God protected them and did not let their community be destroyed. Pope Leo remarks that the extraordinary outcome in Nehemiah was due to the fact that the people recognized that “harmony arises when all persons assume their own role and recognize that their strength comes from the Lord.” When we all place God at the center of our lives and actions, then we can truly be united.

These parallels teach us how God calls his people to live as a society. We should not imitate Babel, moving as one commanding force that dominates and instrumentalizes people; instead, we should strive to replicate the efforts made by Nehemiah, by learning to work together as one in order to bring about the common good. We must prioritize communication, creativity, and inclusion of all peoples in order to build a world that may be one with God.

"Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain."

1. What motivated the people at Babel, and how was their motivation different from Nehemiah's?
2. Why was it important that every family helped rebuild a section of the wall?