“Alas, alas for the great city, whose magnificence brought wealth to all that had ships at sea; in one brief hour she is laid waste” (Rev 18:19) This is a lament from the book of Revelation over the mysterious fall of Babylon. “Babylon” is a symbol of civilizations so distinguished by success, wealth, power, culture and technology that they become corrupt. They promote pleasure and entertainment while marginalizing harder truths. In St. John’s vision, those who love Babylon are grieved by its sudden destruction, but the Christians are rejoicing. “Triumph, heaven, over her fall, triumph, you saints in heaven, apostles and prophets” (Rev 18:20). Christians become happy when false idols come crashing down, opening up space for the truth to stand up. Christians are glad to see true happiness, which comes only from Jesus Christ, in triumph over its impostors.
Let us be glad, then, on this Thanksgiving Day in 2020, as Babylon falls down around us. There is a fake version of Thanksgiving day: over-filling ourselves with fine food and drink in the company of our favorite people. Let this impostor come crashing down. Instead, let us recall the true meaning of Thanksgiving: joining with our neighbors, be they Indian or Pilgrim, joining with them not so much by eating next to them but by giving thanks to God together with them. We can overcome social distancing with spiritual union.