i simply love to repair
"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?" —Nehemiah 2:3
Nehemiah was noticeably sad because Jerusalem and its walls needed major repairs. Those promoting devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus have repeatedly emphasized the need for reparation, that is, repairing a world broken and shattered by sin. We hear a lot today about brokenness, broken hearts, and shattered lives. If we really care, we should be concerned about repairing what has been broken.
Of course, we are quite concerned about repairing some things. We want our cars, appliances, and houses repaired. However, these repairs take up so much of our time, energy, and resources that we are not too concerned about repairing God's Church and His people (see Hg 1:2-4). This situation shows that we need to simplify our lives greatly. The more possessions we have, the more we have to repair. The more things we have to repair, the less time we may give to repairing God's Church.
If we truly love God and His people, we will be in the repair business. We will be doing penance to repair the effects of sin. To do repairs for God, we must simplify our lives. Therefore, if we simplify, we will show our love for the broken-hearted and for the Lord of the broken-hearted (see Ps 34:19). Simplify; repair; love.
Prayer: Father, grace me to renew and repair Your Church, as St. Theresa and St. Francis did. May I be a "repairer of the breach" and a "restorer of ruined homesteads" (Is 58:12).
Promise: "Jesus said to him, 'The foxes have lairs, the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.' To another He said, 'Come after Me.' " —Lk 9:58-59
Praise: Theresa had a deep experience of Jesus at age thirteen. He gave her a lasting inner strength and a desire to pray for priests.
Reference: (For related teaching, order our book, Living In Reality.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, March 22, 1997
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 26, 1997