church as a priority
"Is it time for you to dwell in your own paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?" —Haggai 1:4
Church should be a higher priority than self, pleasure, money, and comfort. If we put more into working on our own houses and doing our own thing than we put into building God's Church, then we are out of order, and our lives will show it.
"Now thus says the Lord of hosts: consider your ways! You have sown much, but have brought in little; you have eaten, but have not been satisfied; you have drunk, but have not been exhilarated; have clothed yourselves, but not been warmed; and he who earned wages earned them for a bag with holes in it" (Hg 1:5-6). We are frustrated, dissatisfied, discontent, and depressed because building God's Church is not high enough in our priorities.
We must repent, go to Confession, and serve the Church rather than ourselves. This doesn't necessarily mean we will work in the Church in an official capacity or on some committee. Serving the Church means serving the people of God. We evangelize and build up the Church. We feed, heal, counsel, and encourage God's people and so build up the Body of Christ. We personally and financially support those building God's kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. We raise our families as domestic churches (Catechism, 2204) so as to build up the universal Church.
When we are not mere church-goers but also church-builders, we will have the right priorities, and our lives will show it.
Prayer: Father, may Your Church be much better for my having lived.
Promise: "Build the house that I may take pleasure in it and receive My glory, says the Lord." —Hg 1:8
Praise: St. Vincent has made the Church a better place by establishing ministries to the poor and needy that still continue to this day.
Rescript: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 14, 2007
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