Many of us would have had many opportunities to draw closer to the Lord our God. Some through a member of the family, Community, others through retreats and formation talks. I am quite certain that everyone, had at one time or another been prompted through the Holy Spirit to be more faithful to the Word of God, to live piously and to be bold in our endeavours; to live in the light of His resurrection so as to Glory Him by our lives.
What happened then to our zeal for our Lord? Did we lose it to the distractions of the world? Did we squander our time on personal pleasures? Perhaps we had fallen to sin and refused to listen to the call for repentance? Whatever our reasons for falling behind and remaining where we are, the Lord is reminding us today that it is not too late for us to rebuild the House: (our body the temple of the Holy Spirit) I shall then take pleasure in it, and be glorified there, says the Lord.” We need never be anxious to see Jesus for He is waiting patiently for us. To forgive us our sins and to lead us to the fulness of life in Him.
Lord have mercy on me, create in me a clean heart and put your steadfast spirit with me so that I may glorify Your name now and forever. Amen
St Pio pray for us…..
First reading
Haggai 1:1-8
‘Rebuild the House’
In the second year of King Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the Lord was addressed through the prophet Haggai to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, high commissioner of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, as follows, ‘The Lord of Hosts says this, “This people says: The time has not yet come to rebuild the Temple of the Lord. (And the word of the Lord was addressed through the prophet Haggai, as follows:) Is this a time for you to live in your panelled houses, when this House lies in ruins? So now, the Lord of Hosts says this: Reflect carefully how things have gone for you. You have sown much and harvested little; you eat but never have enough, drink but never have your fill, put on clothes but do not feel warm. The wage earner gets his wages only to put them in a purse riddled with holes. So go to the hill country, fetch wood, and rebuild the House: I shall then take pleasure in it, and be glorified there, says the Lord.”’
Gospel
Luke 9:7-9
‘John? I beheaded him; so who is this?’
Herod the tetrarch had heard about all that was being done by Jesus; and he was puzzled, because some people were saying that John had risen from the dead, others that Elijah had reappeared, still others that one of the ancient prophets had come back to life. But Herod said, ‘John? I beheaded him. So who is this I hear such reports about?’ And he was anxious to see Jesus.
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