Good morning, Good People,
May the Lord give you peace.
It is 25th September 2025. We reflect on Haggai 1:1-8; Psalm 149:1-6, 9; and Luke 9:7-9.
Are we ready to be renewed?
We all will be returning to where we left at some point in our lives. It so happened that the Israelites returned from the Babylonian exile to a dilapidated homeland and temple. The initial enthusiasm, fervour, and joy faded away at the sight of the enormous task of survival with limited resources. Their priorities shifted to building something for themselves rather than for the Lord. Some had become accustomed to life in Babylon and preferred remaining there rather than reawakening the ties of their God-given ancestral land.
In this background, the call of the prophet Haggai came alive, inviting people to confront their lukewarmness, spiritual dryness, and misplaced priorities. The prophet warns the people of Israel that material pursuits without God lead to unhappiness, frustration, and futility: “You have sown much and harvested little… your wages go into a purse riddled with holes.”
True and reliable worship is to restore and rebuild the temple of God by putting human relationships in order. Giving God the best in our homes and homelands enables us to prosper constantly.
In the Gospel, Herod was intrigued and anxious about Jesus but did not take time to truly reflect and understand what God was revealing. God is never tired of revealing what He wants from us.
Renewed commitment in our spiritual life is the need of the hour. Curiosity alone—whether helpful or harmful—cannot lead us to Jesus. Having a clear conscience and a clean life allows us to have true and Spirit-filled worship.
Without God, we cannot rebuild, renew, and renovate within us and around us. May God continue to inspire us to be ready for what is necessary for our integral formation.
May God bless you.