Rebuilding the Walls of Jerusalem

Reflection on Nehemiah 2:11-3:32

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/nehemiah/2

I am listening to Bible in a Year with Father Mike Schmitz, which I highly recommend! He was reading about the rebuilding of the wall around Jerusalem in the book of Nehemiah and mentioned that some scholars point out some people were building the wall directly in front of their house, which was arguably smaller than portions of the wall or gates that others were building. That’s one way to look at it. And maybe today’s statistics obscure their thoughts. A quick Google search told me that only 30-42% of regular church goers volunteer within their church or with a charity. Though the statistics are better for those who donate to their church: 63-75%.

I reflected back over the stages of my life. Before I had children, I helped with 9 CEWs (weekend retreats), taught adult faith formation, and regularly put money in the collection basket. Then we had our Aidan with multiple medical diagnoses. At the age of 27 months he spent his 300th day in the hospital. Needless to say, there weren’t any weekend retreats or teaching for adult faith formation. We also found out that he was quickly coming close to my health insurance’s lifetime maximum of $5 million dollars. I ended up quitting my teaching job to get Aidan on my husband’s insurance. No money went into the collection basket. I was relying on my church family and my biological family to pray us through this difficult time.

I wondered about the people of Jerusalem. What were they going through? Did they have a house filled with children and servants or one that was waiting what seemed an achingly long time for the pitter-patter of little feet to fill it? Was everyone healthy and well or was someone praying diligently every night, begging God to keep their loved one alive just as we were? In their lives, were they going through a time of feast or famine?

I looked up the verses myself and noticed something. Many households and professionals were named and everyone seemed busy building. Nothing was mentioned about Mr. and Mrs. so-and-so who were being a stick-in-the-mud and refusing to help. I like to think that all were helping as they were able, based on the stage of life they were going through. Only God knows if they were fulfilling their duties and only he can judge.

So if you’ve been blessed with health, a family who is in a stage that isn’t quite so demanding, and find yourself with some extra time on the weekend, go help build the wall (or whatever that might look like in your parish or community) and maybe add a gate too! (Might I suggest the sheep gate rather than the dung gate?!? Read the verses in Nehemiah for more detail.) If your family’s demands have you attending to them at all hours of the day and night, if you or a loved one are experiencing health issues, or something outside your home demands all your time and energy, put a couple of bricks on when you are able. God knows the demands in your life and only he can judge if you are fulfilling your duties.