Daily Readings - Fri Sep 24 2021
Haggai
1In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month, came the word of the LORD by the prophet Haggai, saying,2Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and to the residue of the people, saying,3Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?4Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts:5According to the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, so my spirit remaineth among you: fear ye not.6For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land;7And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.8The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts.9The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts.
Luke
18And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am?19They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again.20He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God.21And he straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing;22Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful messages of hope and trust in God’s plan. The first reading from Haggai speaks to a people who had seen the glory of the Temple in its prime but now found themselves gazing at its ruins. Haggai encourages them not to lose heart, for God is with them, and He promises that the glory of the new Temple will surpass the old. This prophecy is not just about stones and mortar but about the renewal of God’s presence among His people. It reminds us that even in times of discouragement or decline, God’s Spirit remains with us, guiding us toward a future filled with His glory.
The Gospel reading from Luke shifts our focus to Jesus, who asks His disciples a profound question: “Who do you say that I am?” Peter’s confession, “The Christ of God,” is a moment of clarity and faith. Yet, Jesus immediately reveals the cost of being the Messiah: suffering, rejection, and death, followed by resurrection. This passage invites us to reflect on our own understanding of Jesus and the implications of following Him. Like the disciples, we are called to embrace the mystery of the cross, trusting that God’s plan, though often shrouded in darkness, leads to redemption and new life.
Both readings call us to trust in God’s promises, even when the present seems uncertain. Haggai reminds us that God’s Spirit is always at work, transforming ruins into something greater. Luke’s Gospel challenges us to deepen our faith in Jesus, even when the path ahead is difficult. In our daily lives, we are invited to act with courage, knowing that God is with us. Let us not be afraid to face challenges or to embrace the cross, for in doing so, we participate in God’s plan to bring light and hope to a world in need. May we, like the people of Haggai’s time and the disciples of Jesus, trust in the Lord’s promise: “I am with you,” and may we find peace in His presence.