FIRST READING
The beginning of the Book of the Prophet Haggai (Haggai 1:1 -8)
“Build the house, that I may take pleasure in it.”
In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, “Thus says the Lord of hosts: This people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord.” Then the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your panelled houses, while this house lies in ruins? Now therefore thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider how you have fared. You have sown much, and harvested little; you eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages earns wages to put them into a bag with holes. “Thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider how you have fared. Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may appear in my glory, says the Lord.”
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSAL Psalm149:1-2.3-4.5-6a and 9bc (R.4a)
R/.The Lord takes delight in his people.
Sing a new song to the Lord,
His praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel rejoice in its Maker;
Let Sion’s children exult in their king. R/.
Let them praise his name with dancing,
and make music with timbrel and harp.
For the Lord takes delight in his people;
he crowns the poor with salvation. R/.
Let the faithful exult in glory,
and rejoice as they take their rest.
Let the praise of God be in their mouths.
This is an honour for all his faithful. R/.
ALLELUIA John14:6
Alleluia. I am the way, and the truth, and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father, but by me. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 9:7-9)
“John I beheaded,’ but who is this about whom I hear such things?”
At that time: Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by Jesus, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead, by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen. Herod said, “John I beheaded; but who is this about whom I hear such things?” And he sought to see him.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Today’s Reflection
Herod’s assertion, “John I beheaded…” betrays his sense of guilt and fear. Jesus’ arrival on the scene makes Herod suspect and fear that the one he had beheaded has come back to life to haunt him. He is weighed down by his own guilt and consequently lacks peace and joy in life. He seeks to see Jesus only to rule out the possibility that it is john. We are governed by our decisions and actions. Our good decisions and actions will follow us all through life, bringing us peace and joy. Our bad decisions and action will haunt us all through life, taking away our peace and joy.