Ephesians 2:19,20

Joe Errickson

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and are of God's household, having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone.    

Talk about great expectations! We are citizens with the saints of the almighty God. Our faith links us with the apostles and the cornerstone, Christ himself. When I think of sainthood, Frances of Assisi comes to mind. While praying in the Church of San Damiano, the Icon of Christ Crucified came alive and three times said, "Frances, Frances, go and repair My house which, as you can see, is in ruins. Frances led efforts to physically and spiritually rebuild several ruined churches in the area of Assisi. He apparently wanted to cover all the bases just in case there was a misunderstanding.

Frances's favorite abode is said to have been a small chapel, St Mary of the Angels, just outside of Assisi. It was a church in physical ruin that he rebuilt, stone by stone, with a number of friends who caught the vision to repair Christ's house. Beyond the physical rebuilding of the church, Frances wanted to repair the mission of the church to be more inclusive of outcasts, the sick, the impoverished, the uneducated, the poor; those for whom life's circumstances had made them society's forgotten invisibles. Frances was indeed a good citizen saint, spending his life in dedication to helping those in such difficult circumstances.

As we contemplate the sacrifice Christ gave on our behalf, let us ask Christ to call us by name, and instruct us in our mission, that we might be worthy citizen saints building for the sake of God's household.

Prayer: Loving father, thank-you for the assurance through Christ that we are citizens of your household. Open our eyes and ears to the forgotten invisibles in our midst. As we continue building upon the vision of our founders, help us remain faithful to your calling. Give us -willing and grateful hearts to respond to the expectations and challenges before us, through Christ our Lord. Amen