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Reading 1
Hg 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.
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b
R. (see 4a) The Lord takes delight in his people.
Sing to the Lord a new song
of praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel be glad in their maker,
let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
Let them praise his name in the festive dance,
let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.
For the Lord loves his people,
and he adorns the lowly with victory.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
Let the faithful exult in glory;
let them sing for joy upon their couches;
Let the high praises of God be in their throats.
This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
Gospel
Lk 9:7-9
Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening,
and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying,
“John has been raised from the dead”;
others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”;
still others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.”
But Herod said, “John I beheaded.
Who then is this about whom I hear such things?”
And he kept trying to see him.
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
First reading Haggai 1:1 – 8
In the second year of King Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the Lord was addressed through the prophet Haggai to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, high commissioner of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, as follows, ‘the Lord of Hosts says this, “This people says: The time has not yet come to rebuild the Temple of the Lord. (And the word of the Lord was addressed through the prophet Haggai, as follows:) Is this a time for you to live in your paneled houses, when this House lies in ruins? So now, the Lord of Hosts says this: Reflect carefully how things have gone for you. You have sown much and harvested little; you eat but never have enough, drink but never have your fill, put on clothes but do not feel warm. The wage earner gets his wages only to put them in a purse riddled with holes. So go to the hill country, fetch wood, and rebuild the House: I shall then take pleasure in it, and be glorified there, says the Lord.”’
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 149:1-6,9
The Lord takes delight in his people.
or
Alleluia!
Sing a new song to the Lord,
his praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel rejoice in its Maker,
let Zion’s sons exult in their king.
The Lord takes delight in his people.
or
Alleluia!
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.
The Lord takes delight in his people.
or
Alleluia!
Let the faithful rejoice in their glory,
shout for joy and take their rest.
Let the praise of God be on their lips:
this honour is for all his faithful.
The Lord takes delight in his people.
or
Alleluia!
Gospel Luke 9:7 – 9
Herod the tetrarch had heard about all that was going on; and he was puzzled, because some people were saying that John had risen from the dead, others that Elijah had reappeared, still others that one of the ancient prophets had come back to life. But Herod said, ‘John? I beheaded him. So who is this I hear such reports about?’ And he was anxious to see him.
Readings and Commentary from the Navarre Bible
Thursday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time
From: Haggai 1:1-8
Rebuilding of the temple
-----------------------------------
[1] 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 She-alti-el, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, [2] "Thus says the Lord of hosts: This people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord." [3] Then the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, [4] "Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? [5] Now therefore thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider how you have fared. [6] 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.
[7] "Thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider how you have fared. [8] 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.
*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:
1:1. The text appears to be following the Persian calendar, which was based on the lunar month, with regular adjustments to keep it in line with the solar year. The date mentioned here would be 29 April 520 BC. References to dates in Haggai can be checked against dates found in Chronicles, Ezra and Zechariah.
The prophecy is addressed to Zerubbabel and Joshua, the two senior administrators, civil and religious (cf. Ezra 3:2, 8; 4:2, 3). Zerubbabel was a grandson of Jehoiachin, the king exiled to Babylon (cf. 1 Chron 3:16-19). St Matthew (cf. Mt 1:12-13) includes him among the ancestors of Jesus.
1:2-15. The first oracle includes the message communicated by Haggai (vv. 2-11) and the positive response of his audience (vv. 12-15). The words of the prophet are addressed to the leaders of the people mentioned in 1:1 and also to the "remnant" of the people (v. 14). In his oracle, the prophet plays with three ideas -- "the time", the "house" and an invitation to "consider". The whole line of argument is based on what the people are saying: "the time has not come to rebuild the house of the Lord" (v. 2). The prophet pokes fun at their saying this, given that the time has come for them to build comfortable houses for themselves and leave the temple rebuilding for later (the "House" of the Lord: vv. 2, 4, 8, 9). Therefore, he twice (vv. 5, 9) invites them to consider the matter; they will find that they have worked a lot but nothing has come of it (vv. 6, 9). This leads to the conclusion of the message: the earth withholds its produce because the people have shown such distrust in God; he is the Lord of nature; he can make the land fruitful -- or barren.
This rallying of the people to get them to rebuild the temple may seem a minor matter compared with the high moral tone found in the prophetical books generally. However, it derives from a profound faith: the people, whom God "created", will never have a proper sense of their identity unless they can see God in their midst. This idea comes across clearly in the middle of the oracle: "build the house . . . that I may take pleasure in it and that I may appear in my glory" (v. 8). This should be read in the context of other biblical passages that assert how good God is to reach down to his people: "For the Lord has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his habitation: 'This is my resting place for ever'" (Ps 132:13-14). A logical consequence of this is that God should be offered the best that we can give him, and that offering should also be seen in the beauty of church decoration, for the arts, "by their very nature, are oriented towards the infinite beauty of God which they attempt in some way to portray by the work of human hands; they achieve their purpose of redounding to God's praise and glory in proportion as they are directed the more exclusively to the single aim of turning men's minds devoutly toward God" (Vatican II, Sacrosanctum Concilium, 122).
Verses 12-15 report the people's response. The text describes an interesting chain of events: Haggai's listeners "obeyed" the oracle and were filled with fear of the Lord (v. 12); God then hastens to comfort them, assuring them, as he always did the leaders of Israel, "I am with you" (v. 13; Gen 26:3; 31:3; Ex 4:12; Josh 1:5; etc.); and he encourages them to set out to work with a will (v. 14). Twenty-four days have passed (v. 15; cf. v 1) since Haggai first addressed them, but the Lord has achieved his objective. Drawing on her great experience of friendship with God, St Teresa of Avila said something that would fit in here: "Since he does not want to force our will, he takes whatever he is given; but he does not give everything of himself until he sees that we have given everything of ourselves to him" (Way of Perfection, 48, 4).
*********************************************************************************************
From: Luke 9:7-9
Herod's Opinion of Jesus
------------------------------------
[7] Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead, [8] by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen. [9] Herod said, "John I beheaded; but who is this about whom I hear such things?" And he sought to see Him.
*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:
7-9. Except for the Sadducees, all Jews believed in the resurrection of the dead, as revealed by God in Sacred Scripture (cf. Ezekiel 37:10; Daniel 12:2 and 2 Maccabees 7:9). It was also commonly believed by Jews at the time that Elijah or some other prophet had to appear again (Deuteronomy 19:15). This may have been why Herod began to think that perhaps John had come back to life (Matthew 14:1-2 and Mark 6:14-16), particularly since Jesus worked miracles and people thought this power was the prerogative of those who had risen from the dead. And yet he was aware that Christ was working miracles even before John died (cf. John 2:23); therefore, at first, he was disconcerted. Later, as the fame of Christ's miracles spread, to have some sort of adequate explanation he decided, as the other Gospels tell us, that John must indeed have risen.
*********************************************************************************************
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.
Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and by Scepter Publishers in the United States. We encourage readers to purchase The Navarre Bible for personal study. See Scepter Publishers for details.
Hg 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.
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b
R. (see 4a) The Lord takes delight in his people.
Sing to the Lord a new song
of praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel be glad in their maker,
let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
Let them praise his name in the festive dance,
let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.
For the Lord loves his people,
and he adorns the lowly with victory.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
Let the faithful exult in glory;
let them sing for joy upon their couches;
Let the high praises of God be in their throats.
This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
Gospel
Lk 9:7-9
Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening,
and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying,
“John has been raised from the dead”;
others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”;
still others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.”
But Herod said, “John I beheaded.
Who then is this about whom I hear such things?”
And he kept trying to see him.
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
First reading Haggai 1:1 – 8
In the second year of King Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the Lord was addressed through the prophet Haggai to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, high commissioner of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, as follows, ‘the Lord of Hosts says this, “This people says: The time has not yet come to rebuild the Temple of the Lord. (And the word of the Lord was addressed through the prophet Haggai, as follows:) Is this a time for you to live in your paneled houses, when this House lies in ruins? So now, the Lord of Hosts says this: Reflect carefully how things have gone for you. You have sown much and harvested little; you eat but never have enough, drink but never have your fill, put on clothes but do not feel warm. The wage earner gets his wages only to put them in a purse riddled with holes. So go to the hill country, fetch wood, and rebuild the House: I shall then take pleasure in it, and be glorified there, says the Lord.”’
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 149:1-6,9
The Lord takes delight in his people.
or
Alleluia!
Sing a new song to the Lord,
his praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel rejoice in its Maker,
let Zion’s sons exult in their king.
The Lord takes delight in his people.
or
Alleluia!
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.
The Lord takes delight in his people.
or
Alleluia!
Let the faithful rejoice in their glory,
shout for joy and take their rest.
Let the praise of God be on their lips:
this honour is for all his faithful.
The Lord takes delight in his people.
or
Alleluia!
Gospel Luke 9:7 – 9
Herod the tetrarch had heard about all that was going on; and he was puzzled, because some people were saying that John had risen from the dead, others that Elijah had reappeared, still others that one of the ancient prophets had come back to life. But Herod said, ‘John? I beheaded him. So who is this I hear such reports about?’ And he was anxious to see him.
Readings and Commentary from the Navarre Bible
Thursday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time
From: Haggai 1:1-8
Rebuilding of the temple
-----------------------------------
[1] 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 She-alti-el, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, [2] "Thus says the Lord of hosts: This people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord." [3] Then the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, [4] "Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? [5] Now therefore thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider how you have fared. [6] 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.
[7] "Thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider how you have fared. [8] 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.
*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:
1:1. The text appears to be following the Persian calendar, which was based on the lunar month, with regular adjustments to keep it in line with the solar year. The date mentioned here would be 29 April 520 BC. References to dates in Haggai can be checked against dates found in Chronicles, Ezra and Zechariah.
The prophecy is addressed to Zerubbabel and Joshua, the two senior administrators, civil and religious (cf. Ezra 3:2, 8; 4:2, 3). Zerubbabel was a grandson of Jehoiachin, the king exiled to Babylon (cf. 1 Chron 3:16-19). St Matthew (cf. Mt 1:12-13) includes him among the ancestors of Jesus.
1:2-15. The first oracle includes the message communicated by Haggai (vv. 2-11) and the positive response of his audience (vv. 12-15). The words of the prophet are addressed to the leaders of the people mentioned in 1:1 and also to the "remnant" of the people (v. 14). In his oracle, the prophet plays with three ideas -- "the time", the "house" and an invitation to "consider". The whole line of argument is based on what the people are saying: "the time has not come to rebuild the house of the Lord" (v. 2). The prophet pokes fun at their saying this, given that the time has come for them to build comfortable houses for themselves and leave the temple rebuilding for later (the "House" of the Lord: vv. 2, 4, 8, 9). Therefore, he twice (vv. 5, 9) invites them to consider the matter; they will find that they have worked a lot but nothing has come of it (vv. 6, 9). This leads to the conclusion of the message: the earth withholds its produce because the people have shown such distrust in God; he is the Lord of nature; he can make the land fruitful -- or barren.
This rallying of the people to get them to rebuild the temple may seem a minor matter compared with the high moral tone found in the prophetical books generally. However, it derives from a profound faith: the people, whom God "created", will never have a proper sense of their identity unless they can see God in their midst. This idea comes across clearly in the middle of the oracle: "build the house . . . that I may take pleasure in it and that I may appear in my glory" (v. 8). This should be read in the context of other biblical passages that assert how good God is to reach down to his people: "For the Lord has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his habitation: 'This is my resting place for ever'" (Ps 132:13-14). A logical consequence of this is that God should be offered the best that we can give him, and that offering should also be seen in the beauty of church decoration, for the arts, "by their very nature, are oriented towards the infinite beauty of God which they attempt in some way to portray by the work of human hands; they achieve their purpose of redounding to God's praise and glory in proportion as they are directed the more exclusively to the single aim of turning men's minds devoutly toward God" (Vatican II, Sacrosanctum Concilium, 122).
Verses 12-15 report the people's response. The text describes an interesting chain of events: Haggai's listeners "obeyed" the oracle and were filled with fear of the Lord (v. 12); God then hastens to comfort them, assuring them, as he always did the leaders of Israel, "I am with you" (v. 13; Gen 26:3; 31:3; Ex 4:12; Josh 1:5; etc.); and he encourages them to set out to work with a will (v. 14). Twenty-four days have passed (v. 15; cf. v 1) since Haggai first addressed them, but the Lord has achieved his objective. Drawing on her great experience of friendship with God, St Teresa of Avila said something that would fit in here: "Since he does not want to force our will, he takes whatever he is given; but he does not give everything of himself until he sees that we have given everything of ourselves to him" (Way of Perfection, 48, 4).
*********************************************************************************************
From: Luke 9:7-9
Herod's Opinion of Jesus
------------------------------------
[7] Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead, [8] by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen. [9] Herod said, "John I beheaded; but who is this about whom I hear such things?" And he sought to see Him.
*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:
7-9. Except for the Sadducees, all Jews believed in the resurrection of the dead, as revealed by God in Sacred Scripture (cf. Ezekiel 37:10; Daniel 12:2 and 2 Maccabees 7:9). It was also commonly believed by Jews at the time that Elijah or some other prophet had to appear again (Deuteronomy 19:15). This may have been why Herod began to think that perhaps John had come back to life (Matthew 14:1-2 and Mark 6:14-16), particularly since Jesus worked miracles and people thought this power was the prerogative of those who had risen from the dead. And yet he was aware that Christ was working miracles even before John died (cf. John 2:23); therefore, at first, he was disconcerted. Later, as the fame of Christ's miracles spread, to have some sort of adequate explanation he decided, as the other Gospels tell us, that John must indeed have risen.
*********************************************************************************************
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.
Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and by Scepter Publishers in the United States. We encourage readers to purchase The Navarre Bible for personal study. See Scepter Publishers for details.
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