Yesterday and today we read the entirety of the book of the prophet Haggai for our First Reading, a rather short book of the Old Testament consisting of only 38 verses. Haggai speaks to those Jews returning to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon. Sixteen years had gone by and the Jews had not yet rebuilt the Temple. So, Haggai shares with them the Lord’s desire that they focus on their religious duty to God.
In a sense, the people had put their own business ahead of God’s, they were more concerned about their own lifestyle than about the house of God. To be fair, the Jews were somewhat discouraged. Returning from exile, their land was desolate, their crops had failed, their work was hard, the Samaritans, their neighbors to the north, hindered their work. You could say that the post-exilic Jews were suffering harsh economic distress. Yet, the Lord sent two prophets, Zechariah and Haggai, to urge the people to finish rebuilding the Temple.
Sometimes in the midst of chaos, our religious duties take second place, don’t they. But putting our religious duties first, we find the strength and peace we need, to deal with the chaos rightly and justly.
Today’s verses from Haggai may sound familiar, the composer Handel included them in his masterpiece: “Messiah”. I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land; and I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with splendor, says the Lord of hosts.”
These words foretell the day of the Lord, the day which we are preparing for, preparing our souls for, when Christ will return in glory, when all peoples and all nations will turn to him on bended knee.
But again, we prepare for that day how? Ensuring that our souls are a rebuilt temple to the Lord. That our souls are enshrined with virtue.
Last night at Vespers at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Holy Father, Pope Francis, addressed the faithful, clergy, religious, and lay faithful alike about the challenges of ministering and witnessing in this very chaotic age.
He said, “I know that many of you are in the front lines in meeting the challenges of adapting to an evolving pastoral landscape. Whatever difficulties and trials you face, I ask you, like St. Peter, to be at peace and to respond to them as Christ did: he thanked the Father, took up his cross and looked forward!"
Looking forward, for the Jews in this morning reading, meant taking their religious duties seriously. There can be no future without God,
The Lord has chosen us to be steadfast in faith in this age—to hold fast to his commandments, to Love Him with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength, to make our souls beautiful temples for his indwelling, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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