Daily Readings - Thu Sep 28 2017
First Reading - Haggai 1.1-8
Haggai
1In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet unto Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, saying,2Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the LORD'S house should be built.3Then came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying,4Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste?5Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.6Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.7Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.8Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD.
Gospel - Luke 9.7-9
Luke
7Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him: and he was perplexed, because that it was said of some, that John was risen from the dead;8And of some, that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again.9And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he desired 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.