“REBUILD MY CHURCH”
“Send me…to rebuild it.” –Nehemiah 2:5
Mass Readings: October 4
First: Sirach 50:1,3-4,6-7;Resp: Psalm 16:1-2,5,7-8,11;Second: Galatians 6:14-18; Gospel: Matthew 11:25-30
Listen to the Mass Readings
Nehemiah set out to rebuild the ruined city of Jerusalem (Neh 2:5ff). God instilled in him a heart of concern for Jerusalem and prepared his way by granting him favor in the eyes of King Artaxerxes.
While in prayer, St. Francis of Assisi, today’s saint, heard God command him: “Rebuild My Church.” Francis immediately set out to repair and rebuild several church buildings that had fallen into disrepair. Eventually in prayer, Francis discerned that the Lord meant for him to rebuild the people in the Church rather than its buildings. So Francis built up a religious order whose ministry brought new life to the people of God.
Are you called to rebuild the Church? Perhaps your particular role in rebuilding the Church is to work to rebuild your family (see Is 58:12), which is the “domestic Church” (see Catechism, 2204, 2685). Some of you may be called to minister in the Church. As He did with Nehemiah and Francis, God will supply what you need (see Phil 4:19) and prepare your way. Therefore, put your hand to the plow (Lk 9:62) and get to the work of rebuilding (Hg 2:4).
PRAYER: Father, give me a disciple’s heart. St. Francis, pray for me to love Jesus much more deeply.
PROMISE: “The king granted my requests, for the favoring hand of my God was upon me.” –Neh 2:8
PRAISE: St. Francis followed Jesus by being true to the Church, in his respect for and obedience to the Church’s authorities.
