It is 28th September 2017. The readings are from Haggai 1:1-8; and the Gospel from Luke 9:7-9. God sends God’s people to remind the people of God about how much they lag in doing things for God. In the first reading, prophet Haggai was sent to remind them that they are all living in very posher buildings while the temple of the Lord is in dilapidation. When we become materially wealthy, we seem to be forgetting God and the work of the Lord conveniently or keeping it as the last thing to do in our lives. We must not forget God when we are affluent. If we continue to ignore God, we are suggesting to God in a way that we would prefer going back to our poverty and slavery. A willful forgetfulness comes by enormous material affluences. It is much due now to rebuild the House of God where we live. Most of all, very less attention or no attention given to the place of worship because our minds are revolving around building and extending the building neglecting the work that is entrusted by God. Everyone has failed one way or other. Some of us failed to pay attention to the worshiping place while others have not given a serious introspection about the ruins inside being. It is indeed a reminder for all of us. “Reflect carefully how things have gone for you. You have sown much and harvested little; you eat but never have satisfied; So go to the hill country, fetch wood, and rebuild the House: I shall then take pleasure in it, and be glorified there.” (Hag. 1:6, 8). The responsorial Psalm acclaims, “The Lord takes delight in his people.” (Ps.149:4). The Gospel teaches us that unless we return to God, we will be haunted by the guilt of our personal sins. When we have sidelined God in our lives, we begin to prioritize the pleasures and people in our lives. Let not our lives revolve and recreate around a few people but we need to offer the importance to God in our lives. May you have a good day.