Rebuild My Church

This year marks the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis. Yesterday, in Assisi, I visited the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, home to the small church St. Francis rebuilt after hearing Christ say, “Francis, repair My Church.”

At first, he understood these words literally. The church was old and falling apart, so he repaired its stones with his own hands. In time, he realized that Christ was calling him to something greater.

The Church is not only a building made of stone. It is the living Body of Christ. To repair the Church means bringing people back to God, proclaiming the Gospel, living humbly, and showing the love of Jesus Christ.

Standing in that sacred place, I reflected on how Christ continues to call every generation to care for His Church.

When I was elected Primate of the Eastern Diocese in 2022, one of the responsibilities placed before me was the restoration of St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral, our spiritual home in the heart of New York City. Together, we began the necessary work of renewing and preserving this sacred place.

I am glad to share that we will soon begin the second and final phase of the renovation. This work is important because our Cathedral must be cared for, strengthened, and preserved for generations to come.

But the work of building the Church cannot end with stone, wood, or walls. It must also include renewing Christ’s people: bringing hope to searching hearts, prayer to families, purpose to the young, and comfort to those who feel forgotten by God.

This is also the spirit in which I write these daily reflections and travel throughout our Diocese. In a small and humble way, I try to place one spiritual stone at a time: to share the Gospel, encourage someone, bring light into a heart, and remind people that Christ is always near.

The words Christ spoke to St. Francis still speak to every Christian today: “Build My Church.”

Each of us has a stone to place in God’s spiritual house. We do so whenever we heal a broken heart, strengthen someone’s faith, forgive an offense, offer hope, or remind another person that they are loved by God.

Begin with the heart nearest to you. And let the first stone be love.