The Word Among Us: A Catholic Devotional based on the Daily Mass Reading & Meditation for Friday, September 25, 2015

The Word Among Us: A Catholic Devotional based on the Daily Mass Reading & Meditation for Friday, September 25, 2015

Meditation: Haggai 2:1 On the twenty-first day of the seventh month, this word of Adonai came through Hagai the prophet: 2 “Speak now to Z’rubavel the son of Sh’alti’el, governor of Y’hudah, and to Y’hoshua the son of Y’hotzadak, the cohen hagadol, and to the rest of the people; say this to them: 3 ‘“Who among you is left that saw this house in its former glory? And how does it look to you now? It seems like nothing to you, doesn’t it? 4 Nevertheless, Z’rubavel, take courage now,” says Adonai; “and take courage, Y’hoshua the son of Y’hotzadak, the cohen hagadol; and take courage, all you people of the land,” says Adonai; “and get to work! For I am with you,” says Adonai-Tzva’ot. 5 “This is in keeping with the word that I promised in a covenant with you when you came out of Egypt, and my Spirit remains with you, so don’t be afraid!” 6 For this is what Adonai-Tzva’ot says: “It won’t be long before one more time I will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land; 7 and I will shake all the nations, so that the treasures of all the nations will flow in; and I will fill this house with glory,” says Adonai-Tzva’ot. 8 “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine,” says Adonai-Tzva’ot. 9 “The glory of this new house will surpass that of the old,” says Adonai-Tzva’ot, “and in this place I will grant shalom,” says Adonai-Tzva’ot.’”
25th Week in Ordinary Time
Work! For I am with you. (Haggai 2:4)
Think for a moment about all the different ways a parent talks to a child in the course of a day. In the morning, she may firmly tell her grumbling child, “Get up! It’s time to go to school.” But by the end of the day, that same child may be in tears, prompting the parent to encourage her child gently, “I am so proud of you for getting through this hard day. You’re so strong!” All parents face a constant balancing act between pushing their children out of their comfort zones and offering them the encouragement and rest they need.
In today’s first reading, we hear how God speaks to his children, the people of Jerusalem, who are rebuilding the Temple. At the start of the passage, he issues a firm command: “Work!” But a few verses later, he offers this gentle word of encouragement: “I am with you.” He even promises them peace (Haggai 2:4, 9)! God knows that his children need both the firm command and the gentle reminder.
Like our children and like Judah, we, too, need God’s loving correction and discipline as well as gentle reminders of his love for us. Sometimes, we need him to push us so that we can get back on track. But there are also times when we need to hear him reminding us of his love and compassion toward us.
Who we are and the work that we are doing are both very important to the Lord. We are his beloved children, and we can spend every day helping him to build something far greater than a place of worship. We can build his kingdom! Caring for our families and friends, helping the poor, serving in the Church; being responsible employees, taking time to talk to God each day in prayer—these are just a few examples of how we build God’s kingdom, and God is delighted to see us busy doing them.
We are important to God, and so is what we are doing. With this in mind, we can take courage and work hard—because we know how deeply loved we are and that all our labor glorifies God.
“Father, thank you for giving me a role in establishing your kingdom. Help me to remember that I am building something glorious for you.” Amen!
Psalm 43:1 Judge me, God, and plead my cause
against a faithless nation.
Rescue me from those who deceive
and from those who are unjust.
2 For you are the God of my strength;
why have you thrust me aside?
Why must I go about mourning,
under pressure by the enemy?
3 Send out your light and your truth;
let them be my guide;
let them lead me to your holy mountain,
to the places where you live.
4 Then I will go to the altar of God,
to God, my joy and delight;
I will praise you on the lyre,
God, my God.
Luke 9:18 Once when Yeshua was praying in private, his talmidim were with him; and he asked them, “Who are the crowds saying I am?” 19 They answered, “Yochanan the Immerser; but others say Eliyahu, and others that some prophet of long ago has risen.” 20 “But you,” he said to them, “who do you say I am?” Kefa answered, “The Mashiach of God!” 21 However, he, warning them, ordered them to tell this to no one, 22 adding, “The Son of Man has to endure much suffering and be rejected by the elders, the head cohanim and the Torah-teachers; and he has to be put to death; but on the third day, he has to be raised to life.”
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