VOICE OF THE LOGOS (6): REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE SIXTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR I

Human ambition is a force that drives civilizations forward. From the grand pyramids of Egypt to the towering skyscrapers of modern cities, people have always sought to build, achieve, and elevate themselves. The desire for greatness is ingrained in human nature, but when that ambition is pursued apart from God, it leads to self-exaltation, division, and ultimately, destruction. Today, many seek to “build their own towers”; that is, establishing success, wealth, power, and influence, but often without reference to God. It is the age of self-promotion, where individuals and nations alike strive for recognition, leaving God as a mere footnote in their grand pursuits. Today’s readings present this reality before us – questioning our ambition of self-exaltation, self-reliance, and inviting us to embrace the cross, and surrender to God’s will.

Beginning with the First Reading (Genesis 11:1-9), we are presented with one of the most well-known examples of human ambition gone wrong – the Tower of Babel. The people, in their unity and pride, expressed: “Let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves” (Gen 11:4). The Hebrew phrase “נַעֲשֶׂה לָּנוּ שֵׁם” (na’aseh lanu shem), meaning “Let us make a name for ourselves,” reveals the core motivation behind their building project—self-glory rather than obedience to God. Instead of trusting in God’s plan, they attempted to establish their own security and greatness. However, God “came down” and confused their language, scattering them across the earth. This act was not simply punishment; it was a correction, a reminder that human pride leads to division, while submission to God leads to unity.

This same theme runs through the Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 32:10-15), which states: “The Lord brings to nothing the plans of nations; He foils the designs of peoples.” This resounds the fate of Babel, showing that no matter how ambitious human plans may be, if they are not rooted in God’s will, they will ultimately fail. The Psalm reminds us that true blessing belongs not to those who make a name for themselves, but to those who trust in the name of the Lord. The term “בָּרוּךְ” (barukh), meaning “blessed”, refers not just to material prosperity but to a state of divine favour. The builders of Babel sought their own blessing, while the Psalmist declares that blessing comes from God alone.

Jesus takes this lesson further in the Gospel (Mark 8:34-9:1), where He confronts the disciples with the radical cost of discipleship. He says: “If anyone wants to follow me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” This is a complete reversal of human ambition. Instead of self-exaltation, Jesus calls for self-denial; instead of building a tower to reach heaven, He calls for a willingness to lay down one’s life. The Greek word “ἀπαρνέομαι” (aparneomai), meaning “to deny or renounce oneself,” is key here. It is not simply about giving up certain pleasures or making small sacrifices, but about renouncing self-rule, personal ambition, and prideful independence. The builders of Babel wanted to be in control of their own destiny, but Jesus says that true discipleship means surrendering everything to God. Jesus also asks: “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?” The term “ζημιόω” (zēmioō), meaning “to suffer loss or be damaged,” is used here to describe the irreversible destruction of one’s soul when worldly ambition takes priority over God. The men of Babel built to gain the world, but they lost everything. Today, many pursue careers, wealth, status, and even political power at the cost of their souls. The drive to succeed often blinds people to the reality that only what is done for God lasts.

In contrast, also, Jesus speaks of those who “lose their life for My sake and for the Gospel.” The word “ψυχή” (psychē), meaning “soul” or “life,” shows that Jesus is speaking of something deeper than physical survival. It is about where one’s ultimate identity and purpose lie. The builders of Babel sought to secure their lives through achievement, but Jesus teaches that true life is found only in surrendering to Him.

These lessons remain relevant in today’s world. Many still build towers of ambition; that is, pursuing success, status, and influence, while neglecting the deeper call to faith and obedience. Social media is filled with people trying to “make a name for themselves,” seeking validation through likes, followers, and recognition. Nations rise and fall, each attempting to establish dominance, but in the end, only what is rooted in God remains. Across the world, people chase after wealth and power, yet corruption, instability, and moral decay persist. The race to the top often leaves people empty, broken, and spiritually lost. Today, Jesus calls us to reject the temptation to build self-glorifying towers and instead embrace the cross. The cross represents surrender, service, and sacrifice; that is, values that go against the world’s obsession with success and power. To carry the cross means trusting God even when the path leads through suffering. It means choosing humility over pride, service over self-promotion, and eternal rewards over temporary gain.

The challenge before us is clear: Are we building towers or carrying crosses? Are we striving to make a name for ourselves, or are we surrendering our ambitions to God’s greater plan? Are we pursuing success at the expense of our souls, or are we willing to lose the world for the sake of Christ? The builders of Babel chose self-exaltation and were scattered; the disciples of Christ chose self-denial and were gathered into the Kingdom. The decision is ours: Will we pursue greatness apart from God, or will we take up the cross and follow Him?