St. Pio of Pietrelcina, priest 

＊＊＊ 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.

 

Ps 149:1b,2, 3-4, 5-6a & 9b

The Lord takes delight in his people.

 

＊＊＊＊ 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.

 

  Gospel Reflection：

There are things in our past that returns and haunts us. Just when our life is coasting clear and everything seems to be in their proper place, they pop up and disturb our uneasy peace.

For when we have too many skeletons in our closet, we can never enjoy true peace. Just look at Herod in today’s gospel. John comes back to spook him. It is not really John but Jesus. In Herod’s mind, it is not the objective reality that presents itself, but his secret guilt.

That is why he has to see Jesus in person. He needs to reassure himself that John is truly dead and buried. Meantime, he will live a life of insecurity. His evil ways will always be before him. Perhaps it is really true. there is no rest for the wicked.