Reading 1
Neh 2:1-8
In the month Nisan of the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes,
when the wine was in my charge,
I took some and offered it to the king.
As I had never before been sad in his presence,
the king asked me, “Why do you look sad?
If you are not sick, you must be sad at heart.”
Though I was seized with great fear, I answered the king:
“May the king live forever!
How could I not look sad
when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins,
and its gates have been eaten out by fire?”
The king asked me, “What is it, then, that you wish?”
I prayed to the God of heaven and then answered the king:
“If it please the king,
and if your servant is deserving of your favor,
send me to Judah, to the city of my ancestors’ graves,
to rebuild it.”
Then the king, and the queen seated beside him,
asked me how long my journey would take
and when I would return.
I set a date that was acceptable to him,
and the king agreed that I might go.
I asked the king further: “If it please the king,
let letters be given to me for the governors
of West-of-Euphrates,
that they may afford me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah;
also a letter for Asaph, the keeper of the royal park,
that he may give me wood for timbering the gates
of the temple-citadel and for the city wall
and the house that I shall occupy.”
The king granted my requests,
for the favoring hand of my God was upon me.
Gospel
Lk 9:57-62
As Jesus and his disciples were proceeding
on their journey, someone said to him,
“I will follow you wherever you go.”
Jesus answered him,
“Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests,
but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.”
And to another he said, “Follow me.”
But he replied, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.”
But he answered him, “Let the dead bury their dead.
But you, go and proclaim the Kingdom of God.”
And another said, “I will follow you, Lord,
but first let me say farewell to my family at home.”
Jesus answered him, “No one who sets a hand to the plow
and looks to what was left behind is fit for the Kingdom of God.”
Meditation: Nehemiah 2:1-8
Just as Nehemiah mourned when he saw the once glorious Temple abandoned and in ruins, we too can be tempted to feel sad if we look at the state of the church in too narrow a way.
There are so many divisions among us, so many ways we reject one another or become polarized on issues. There are so many apparent weaknesses on moral teaching, so many examples of real failures to care for the poor or treat one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. We may begin to wonder what happened to the concept of the church as the body of Christ on earth.
In the face of this grief, we may not know what God wants from us. St. Francis of Assisi, in his enthusiasm, misunderstood Jesus’ words to him: “Rebuild my church.” He began literally rebuilding the run-down church of San Damiano. But over time, Francis came to see that God was calling him to renew the whole church—and to do it by preaching the gospel.
When we feel unsure of how to respond to discouragement, Nehemiah can be our model. When the king questioned him, he prayed before answering. As we lift up our hearts to the Lord, he can give us clarity.
Maybe you are saddened to see others gossiping about a fellow parishioner or priest. Is it possible that God is inviting you to rebuild by entering the conversation and redirecting it toward compassion or patience? If you are disheartened when you see opposing parties demonizing each other, you can be an agent for reconciliation by encouraging everyone to listen respectfully. Maybe there are groups with whom you or others feel uncomfortable or whom you downright reject. Reconciliation can begin as you see them as equals by virtue of baptism, and pray for a resolution according to God’s plan.
God wants you to rebuild his church. He has given you unique gifts. He has brought things to your attention and placed issues on your heart. You can be an agent of healing today. Ask the Lord what he wants from you, and take whatever steps you need to start down his path of reconciliation.
“Lord, I want to see your church glorious. Show me how I can help to rebuild it according to your vision.”
Psalm 137:1-6; Luke 9:57-62
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