Nehemiah's Joy in God’s Heritage

 

Our faith is our heritage

Reflection on Today’s Readings, Wednesday of 26th Week in Ordinary Time, Year I, Oct. 4th, 2023
Texts: Nehemiah 2:1-8; Psalm 137:1-6; Luke 9:57-62 

                            Nehemiah's Joy in God’s Heritage

We see in today’s first reading the desire of Nehemiah to preserve his heritage. He could not bear seeing the holy city in ruin. He was sad, for his joy was in keeping God’s heritage. His joy was not in position, authority, fame or wealth but in God’s heritage. 

Nehemiah challenges us to ask the question, “where is my joy?” Perhaps, it is in position, authority,  fame or authority. Our joy could truly be in keeping our faith. Let us be honest in answering the question. Just like Nehemiah our joy should be in keeping our faith. Our faith is our heritage, for it is handed down to us.  

We also learn from the reading that without God’s favour nothing is possible. Nehemiah says, “And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me.” It is one thing to have the desire for a godly work; it is another thing to enjoy God’s favour to do it. Human desire alone is not enough for engaging in a godly work; God’s grace must inspire it and must be at God’s time. In the words of St. Paul: “We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us” (Rom. 12:6).  

There is for humanreadiness for fruitfulness of God’s grace

Today’s gospel reading also shows that the desire to follow Jesus is not enough, we need grace. This is clear in the man who wanted to follow Jesus. He said, "I will follow you wherever you go." Jesus answered, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head." His desire came with challenges that he needed grace to overcome them.  

The gospel reading also expresses the need of human readiness for fruitfulness of God’s grace. This is clear in the man Jesus Christ called. We read, “To another he said, ‘Follow me.’ The man expressed lack of readiness, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” Jesus answered, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God." It is our readiness that can make us shed other things in response to God’s call.  

The MemorialofSt. FrancisofAssisi

Today is the memorial of St. Francis of Assisi. He was a son of a rich merchant but he chose to earn living by begging. He preached the love of God and love of the created world. His life inspired a rich man who sold everything he had and joined him. A Canon of a Church also gave up His position to join him.  

Their number began to increase and later founded an order, which St. Francis himself convinced Pope to sanction. St. Francis converted many people, even Muslims. We see in him the readiness to serve and the fruitfulness of God’s grace. He also preserved the truth of the gospel.   

Prayer 

O God, by whose gift Saint Francis was conformed to Christ in poverty and humility, grant that, by walking in Francis’ footsteps, we may follow your Son, and, through joyful charity, come to be united with you. Amen (Collect) 

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke