The Miracles of Rebuilding: Jerusalem and the Church
August 14, 2023 - Monday
Memorial of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Priest and Martyr
Psalm 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20
In 586 BC, Jerusalem was destroyed by the Babylonians, but in 539 BC, the king of Persia, Cyrus, allowed the Jewish exiles to return and rebuild. The psalmist celebrates this event as a miracle orchestrated by the Lord, even though it was carried out by inspired individuals. Challenges arose, but the Lord sustained them through great leaders and moved the hearts of Persian rulers to provide assistance. Therefore, the psalmist recognizes the rebuilding of Jerusalem as a miraculous event deserving praise.
In the Christian reading of the Bible, "Jerusalem" and "Zion" symbolize the Church. As a community of believers in Christ, we have a responsibility to glorify and praise God. The Church itself is a miracle born from Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross. Through His pierced side, blood and water flowed, symbolizing the creation of the Church. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the Church embarked on its mission to spread the Gospel to all nations.
Psalm 147 begins and ends with "Hallelujah," meaning "praise the Lord." This praise arises from the power of God's word, which not only created the universe but also provided commandments to guide humanity. The psalmist highlights the Ten Commandments as a special gift to Israel, and as salvation history progressed, the Lord proclaimed the Gospel to the Church, initially composed of Jews and eventually reaching out to all nations.
The Gospel, the Good News from God, centres on Jesus Christ, His miraculous birth, His exemplary life, His unjust crucifixion, and His astounding resurrection. It has the transformative power to bring abundant life to all who believe in its message. Jesus entrusted this Gospel exclusively to the Church, and Saint Peter affirms that even the angels long to learn from the Church about the mystery of our salvation (see 1 Peter 1:12).
Today, as the Church, we offer thanks to God the Father for the gift of Jesus Christ, the Lord of history and the King of the universe. He builds up Jerusalem, which represents the Church, bringing us from the exile of sin back to our spiritual homeland, healing our wounds, and raising us up. Simultaneously, He maintains order in the universe and guides human history toward its fulfilment in the new heaven and new earth.
In light of these truths, we continue to praise and worship the Lord, giving thanks for His work in rebuilding Jerusalem and establishing the Church. We recognize His power to transform lives, guide history, and bring about the ultimate fulfilment of His purposes.