Saturday after Ash Wednesday

Today's Readings

“‘Repairer of the breach,’ they shall call you…” – Isaiah 58:12

Oh, to be called a repairer of the breach.

There is so much to glean from this small excerpt. When I write a reflection, I usually shy away from defining words directly, but in this case I think it will be helpful. I want to focus on the noun “breach” and its two definitions (according to Oxford):

(1) an act of breaking or failing to observe a law, agreement, or code of conduct. E.g. "a breach of confidence"

(2) a gap in a wall, barrier, or defense, especially one made by an attacking army.

Both of these definitions are greatly important. The first, in many ways, describes sin. Every sin is a failure to observe the covenant agreement that God made with us. We are to love God and love our neighbors as ourselves, but we struggle to do that. We are called to display the love that God showed us when God sent Jesus to reconcile us to God (to repair the breach), but we struggle to do that. It is difficult to love others well, especially those with whom we may have experienced a breach or where there appears to be a breach, as in the second definition. Now, it is in this second definition that things become very practical.

There is a breach between us: sometimes it’s a considerable gap, much larger than the one between the platform and the train. Our political and religious views are one thing, but there are also economic differences, regional differences, homelessness, neighborhoods, favorite sports teams (Go Patriots!) – the list goes on. As people of the gospel, we are called to be repairers of all of the gaps between us. We are called to model Jesus’ love for us so that others will see a glimpse of God's design for humanity. There are few lives which answered this call with more devotion than Saint Francis of Assisi. Francis actively sought to repair relationships, and he showed this in a very tangible way through his care for the lepers. The lepers were cast out of the main city, but Francis was there to act as a bridge. He repaired this breach by pursuing his neighbors with love. He also aimed to repair the breach between Christians and Muslims during the crusades. He approached Sultan al-Malik al-Kamil the way he approached everything in his life: with steadfast, pursuing love. God’s love chases us down every day. Francis understood this, and he let God’s love flow through him, no matter what difference – physical, spiritual, or otherwise – may have been present.

In Paul’s letter to the Galatians, we read: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). When we experience a breach in our lives, let us fill the gap with love so that we might show the world that Paul’s words are true. May our hearts be so changed this Lent that we actively love one another and display and deeply experience the unity and peace for which God created us.

Oh, to be called a repairer of the breach.

Timothy Nagy

Assistant Director of Mission, Ministry & Interfaith Dialogue