Daily Readings - Thu Sep 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

Gospel - Luke 9.7-9

Luke

Chapter 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.