Daily Catholic Mass Readings for September 28, 2017
First Reading: Haggai 1.1-8
1In the second year of king Darius, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the Lord came, by the hand of Haggai the prophet, to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Jesus the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, saying2Thus says the Lord of hosts, saying: This people claims that the time has not yet arrived for building the house of the Lord3But the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet, saying4Is it time for you to dwell in paneled houses, while this house is deserted5And now, thus says the Lord of hosts: Set your hearts upon your ways6You sowed much and have brought in little. You consumed and have not been satisfied. You drank and have not been inebriated. You covered yourselves and have not been warmed. And whoever gathered wages, has put them in a bag with holes7Thus says the Lord of hosts: Set your hearts upon your ways8Ascend to the mountain, bring wood and build the house, and it shall be acceptable to me, and I shall be glorified, says the Lord
Psalm 149
1Alleluia. Sing to the Lord a new song. His praise is in the Church of the saints2Let Israel rejoice in him who made them, and let the sons of Zion exult in their king3Let them praise his name in chorus. Let them sing psalms to him with the timbrel and the psaltery4For the Lord is well pleased with his people, and he will exalt the meek unto salvation5The saints will exult in glory. They will rejoice upon their couches6The exultations of God will be in their throat, and two-edged swords will be in their hands7to obtain vindication among the nations, chastisements among the peoples8to bind their kings with shackles and their nobles with manacles of iron9to obtain judgment over them, as it has been written. This is glory for all his saints. Alleluia
Gospel: Luke 9.7-9
7Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all the things that were being done by him, but he doubted, because it was sai8by some, "For John has risen from the dead," yet truly, by others, "For Elijah has appeared," and by still others, "For one of the prophets from of old has risen again.9And Herod said: "I beheaded John. So then, who is this, about whom I hear such things?" And he sought to see him
Sermon
The first reading from Haggai calls us to reflect on our priorities and our relationship with God. The prophet Haggai challenges the people of Judah, who have returned from exile but have neglected to rebuild the Temple. They claim it is not yet the time to focus on God’s house, but Haggai reminds them that their own lives reflect the consequences of this neglect. They work hard but find little satisfaction, and their efforts bring no lasting fulfillment. Haggai urges them to set their hearts on the right path and to rebuild the Temple, which is not just a physical structure but a symbol of their spiritual commitment to God. The reading invites us to examine where we place our priorities and whether we are neglecting the spiritual dimensions of our lives.
In the Gospel, we encounter Herod, who is perplexed by the rumors surrounding Jesus. Herod has heard that Jesus might be John the Baptist risen from the dead or Elijah or one of the prophets of old. This confusion reflects the broader human struggle to understand who Jesus truly is. Herod’s curiosity, however, is not driven by a desire to follow or believe but by a mix of fear and skepticism. His reaction contrasts sharply with the call in Haggai to rebuild and renew our spiritual lives. While Herod seeks to see Jesus out of doubt and uncertainty, the people in Haggai are called to act in faith, trusting that God will be glorified if they return to Him.
Both readings remind us that faith requires action and trust. Haggai challenges us to reorder our priorities and invest in what truly matters—our relationship with God. The Gospel, on the other hand, warns us against the paralysis of doubt and curiosity. Together, they call us to move beyond hesitation and distraction and to seek a deeper encounter with God. In our daily lives, we are often tempted to prioritize comfort and worldly concerns over spiritual growth. Let us heed the call to rebuild our inner temples and to seek Jesus with hearts open to faith and trust, rather than doubt and fear.