Reading 1 Haggai 1:1-8
On the first day of the sixth month in the second year of King Darius, The word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai to the governor of Judah, Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, and to the high priest Joshua, son of Jehozadak: Thus says the LORD of hosts: This people says: "The time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD." (Then this word of the LORD came through Haggai, the prophet:) Is it time for you to dwell in your own paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? Now thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways! You have sown much, but have brought in little; you have eaten, but have not been satisfied; You have drunk, but have not been exhilarated; have clothed yourselves, but not been warmed; And whoever earned wages earned them for a bag with holes in it. Thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways! Go up into the hill country; bring timber, and build the house That I may take pleasure in it and receive my glory, says the LORD.
Reflection
"Now thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways!"
This phrase is said twice by the Lord. "Consider your ways!"
So this is what came to mind with this reading. I am a sinner. I pray that the Lord, in His Mercy will continue to give me graces to know myself and avoid sin.
The Lord graciously allows people to be in our lives to help us on our journey here on this earth. Sometimes these people will do something or tell us something we do not like or do not want to hear. To put it mildly, this scenario strikes a chord within us and it may cause us to pause and reflect. The Lord uses people in our lives to help us to be closer to Him.
Here in the Old Testament, the Lord used the Prophets mostly to help and warn the people. Sometimes we just need someone to get us back on the right path.
Today, as we examine our conscience to consider our ways, we need our priests to hear our confession. The priests also need to examine their conscience because they also are sinners. We need to pray for our priests for they are human and may have their own struggles with sin. Here is the PAPA Prayer for Priests, this is a great prayer.
May God bless you abundantly.
Comments