Sts. Cosmas  & Damian, martys 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

Haggai 1: 1-8

In the second year of the reign of Darius,

on the first day of the sixth month, a word of Yahweh was directed to the prophet Haggai for the benefit of Zerub­babel, the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest.

 “So says Yahweh of hosts: This people claim that the time to rebuild the House of Yahweh has not yet come.  Well now, hear what I have to say through the prophet Haggai:   Is this the time for you to live in your well-built houses while this House is a heap of ruins?  

 Think about your ways:   you have sown much but harvested little, you eat and drink but are not satisfied, you clothe yourselves but still feel cold, and the laborer puts the money he earned in a tattered purse.

 Now think about what you must do:  go to the mountain and look for wood to rebuild the House. This will make me happy and I will feel deeply honored, says Yahweh.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊

 Luke 9: 7-9

 King Herod heard of all this and did not know what to think, for people said, “This is John, raised from the dead.”   Others believed that Elijah or one of the ancient prophets had come back to life.   As for Herod, he said, “I had John beheaded; who is this man about whom I hear such wonders?” And he was anxious to see him.

 

Reflection gospel：

“WHO IS THIS MAN.”

The answer to the question “Who is this man?” will tell us why, in the absence of Jesus, one is said to have harvested little even though she/he had sown much; and, why she/he was not satisfied although he had “eaten” and “drunk.” Having observed this in others and in ourselves, we are able to conclude that something is missing.

An ingredient in the formula is left out, and that is Jesus. Without Jesus, life is incomplete. There is always a sense of something missing, a sense of emptiness. We think that we have worked out many things and have given our best, but still, there is a feeling of “ these are not the things I’m supposed to be doing.”

When Christ fills our life, we are led to those things that serve our purpose in life and to those things that provide a deep sense of fulfillment and joy. When he takes over our lives, our burdens, our failures are light to bear; and, we find direction. We know Jesus to be all of these that is why we are at peace and feel secure.