Reading 1
Hg 1:1-8
On the first day of the sixth month in the second year of King Darius,
The word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai
to the governor of Judah, Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel,
and to the high priest Joshua, son of Jehozadak:
Thus says the LORD of hosts:
This people says:
“The time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD.”
(Then this word of the LORD came through Haggai, the prophet:)
Is it time for you to dwell in your own paneled houses,
while this house lies in ruins?
Now thus says the LORD of hosts:
Consider your ways!
You have sown much, but have brought in little;
you have eaten, but have not been satisfied;
You have drunk, but have not been exhilarated;
have clothed yourselves, but not been warmed;
And whoever earned wages
earned them for a bag with holes in it.
Thus says the LORD of hosts:
Consider your ways!
Go up into the hill country;
bring timber, and build the house
That I may take pleasure in it
and receive my glory, says the LORD.
Gospel
Lk 9:7-9
Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening,
and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying,
“John has been raised from the dead”;
others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”;
still others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.”
But Herod said, “John I beheaded.
Who then is this about whom I hear such things?”
And he kept trying to see him.
Meditation: Psalm 149:1-6,9
The Lord takes delight in his people. (Psalm 149:4)
Do you believe that? He takes delight in his people—in you!
Long ago, God established a covenant with us, a covenant founded on his love and Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Now, because of that covenant, he crowns you with salvation. He offers you a relationship of friendship and reveals himself and his word to you. Every day you can taste his delight: in the warmth of the sun or a gentle breeze, in the quiet peace of his presence, in the praise that rises spontaneously from your heart.
“The Lord … honors the poor with victory” (Psalm 149:4). Victory! Yes, God gives you victory through Christ: victory over sin and patterns of sin. Victory over lust, deception, pride, and anger. Victory over shame and guilt through the blood that Jesus shed on the cross. He can even bring victory over fear and discouragement as you root yourself in his love and presence. In baptism, you were born of God, and he promises that those who are born of him and live in him will overcome (1 John 5:4).
“Let the faithful rejoice in their glory” (Psalm 149:5). Oh, sing his praises, you his faithful ones! Declare the wonders he has worked in your life. Seek him out. Pursue his victory over sin. Ask him to heal your wounds and to strengthen your weaknesses. He will do it! Let him deliver you from bondage to sin. And above all, thank him. Exult in him. Glorify him. And where you don’t yet experience victory, declare your faith in God’s mighty power and authority to set you free. He will do it in his time and according to his wisdom.
Brothers and sisters, God loves you! He wants you to know him, to walk and talk with him every day. He has given you his body and blood at Mass. He offers you forgiveness, healing, and deliverance through Reconciliation. He confirms his life in you by his Holy Spirit. Take hold of all these privileges. Receive the glory that is yours in Christ!
“Father, thank you for your friendship. Thank you for the victory I can experience through the cross. Thank you for the amazing things you have done in me. But mostly, thank you for loving me and delighting in me.”
Haggai 1:1-8; Luke 9:7-9
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