Daily Catholic Mass Readings for September 23, 2021
First Reading: Haggai 1.1-8
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.
Psalm 149
1Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.2Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.3Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.4For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.5Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.6Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand;7To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;8To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;9To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.
Gospel: Luke 9.7-9
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 reminds us of a time when God’s people had lost focus on what truly mattered. After returning from exile, they were more concerned with building their own comfortable homes than with rebuilding the Temple, the house of God. Haggai, speaking on behalf of the Lord, challenges them to examine their priorities. He points out the futility of seeking satisfaction in material wealth and comfort while neglecting their spiritual responsibilities. The prophet calls them to “set their hearts on their ways” and to ascend the mountain to gather the resources needed to restore God’s house. This was not just about physical construction but about renewing their relationship with God and putting Him first in their lives.
In the Gospel, we encounter Herod, a man consumed by curiosity and doubt. He had heard of Jesus’ miracles and teachings but was uncertain about who Jesus truly was. Some thought Jesus was John the Baptist risen from the dead, while others believed He was Elijah or one of the ancient prophets. Herod, who had beheaded John, was particularly troubled, seeking to see Jesus for himself. This passage highlights the spiritual confusion that can arise when we fail to seek the truth with an open and humble heart. Herod’s doubt and curiosity were rooted in his own guilt and lack of faith, rather than a genuine desire to know and follow God.
Both readings invite us to reflect on our own spiritual lives. Like the people in Haggai’s time, we may often prioritize comfort and worldly pursuits over our relationship with God. We may, like Herod, find ourselves in a state of spiritual confusion, unsure of how to respond to God’s presence in our lives. The readings remind us that true fulfillment and clarity come only when we set our hearts on God and seek to build our lives on a foundation of faith. Let us ask ourselves: Are we neglecting the spiritual temple within us? Are we seeking God with genuine humility and openness? May we, like Haggai’s audience, ascend the mountain of prayer and sacrifice, and may we, like those who truly seek Jesus, find the peace and clarity that only He can give.