Will You Help Rebuild the Church?

Michael Voris is on target when he describes the crisis the crisis in the Church today and the crisis within the crisis. How many Catholics are unfaithful? How many can't be bothered? How many are whistling and playing video games while the Church lies in ruins?



Voris' commentary reminds me of a crisis in the Old Testament. The city of Jerusalem had been destroyed, its gates burned down, its walls crumbled. One man, Nehemiah, had it laid on his heart to rebuild the holy city.

Interestingly, the Lord provided him the aid of a pagan king and his queen. They gave him permission to go back to Jerusalem, provided him letters of safe passage, supplied him with timber from the royal park, and gave him an escort of army officers and cavalry.

Nehemiah began by making a circuit of the city and inspecting the damage. Then he met with the people of Jerusalem urging, "let us rebuild the wall...so that we may no longer be an object of derision!" Some resisted, but many came forth and joined in the task.

It was a monumental endeavor, but Nehemiah was wise. He broke the task down and gave each family a section of the wall. And the Bible remembers these builders in a list of workers. It is a roll call of honor. (Nehemiah 3)

The enemies of Judah ridiculed the workers and planned to attack when they saw the gaps being closed in. Nehemiah had to reduce the number of workers and assign half the men to watch over the labor. "Each did his work with one hand and held a weapon with the other. Every builder, while he worked, had his sword girt at his side." And a trumpter was assigned to warn all the workers of an attack so that the men could converge on the endangered section of the wall and fight off the invaders.

Nehemiah faced numerous challenges. Betrayal and graft, rebellion and personal attacks. He never gave up. In fact, "he "redoubled (his) efforts." And the wall was finished in only 52 days! With the help of God they accomplished what many said was impossible.

We need and army of Nehemiahs today who listen to the word of the Lord and respond boldly, who are willing to persevere amidst numerous difficulties and obstacles. We will rebuild the Church. But how long it takes will depend on the courage and determination of God's people. Will you help rebuild His Church?