Daily Readings - Thu Sep 28 2017
Haggai
1In the second year of Darius the king, 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 Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest:2"Thus says the LORD of hosts: These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD."3Then the word of the LORD came by the hand of Haggai the prophet,4"Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?5Now, therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways.6You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes.7"Thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways.8Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may be glorified, says the LORD.
Luke
7Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead,8by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the prophets of old had risen.9Herod said, "John I beheaded, but 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.