Luke 9:7-9

Haggai 1:1-8

Psalm 149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b

Luke 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.

Opening Prayer: Lord God, I surrender my life into your hands. I commend my spirit to your care. Guide my steps today and help me understand the meaning of my life. Help me to know the path I have trodden and the steps I need to take.

Encountering the Word of God

1. Herod’s Question and Peter’s Answer: Herod Antipas was made tetrarch by Rome after the death of his father, Herod the Great. Herod Antipas ruled over Galilee and Perea until he died in A.D. 39. He was introduced by Luke earlier, when he narrated the preaching of John the Baptist (Luke 3:1). Herod was perplexed by what he heard from the people about Jesus. Some speculated that Jesus was somehow John the Baptist, having been raised from the dead. Herod discards the possibility that John came back to life and remarks that he had beheaded John. Some people also referred to the prophecies concerning the prophet-like-Moses arising (Deuteronomy 18:15) and the prophet Elijah returning (Malachi 3:23). Herod doesn’t seem to be interested in biblical prophecy and asks, “Who then is this about whom I hear such things?” Herod’s question will be answered by Peter after the feeding of the five thousand. Jesus is the Christ of God. Jesus is the anointed priest, prophet, and king. He is the Son of Man and Son of God who forgives sins and comes in power on the clouds of heaven. Although he wanted to see Jesus, Herod Antipas would only meet him at his trial (Luke 23:6-12). When Jesus refused to speak to him or perform a sign for him, Herod mocked him and sent him to Pilate wearing “gorgeous apparel.” On that day, Herod mocked the idea that Jesus was a king and was completely unaware of Jesus’ royal dignity (Luke 1:32-33).

2. The Book of the Prophet Haggai: The Book of Haggai is the first of the three post-exilic prophets. The other two prophetic books that come after the Babylonian exile are Zechariah and Malachi. Haggai gives us a look at the newly restored community and its struggles as they seek to reestablish themselves in the Promised Land. “In this way, it provides an important bridge, moving from the end of the Old Testament to the cusp of the New” (A Catholic Guide to the Old Testament). The Book contains four prophetic oracles that came to Haggai in the second year of King Darius of Persia, who ruled from 522-486. Haggai is very precise and even gave us the day and the month of each of his four prophecies. Today we read from the first oracle, and tomorrow we will read the second oracle (Haggai 2:1-9). In his messages, Haggai both corrects the people for neglecting to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem and encourages them to persevere in their efforts once they restart the rebuilding. The Letter to the Hebrews will quote the Book of Haggai in one of its reflections on the Old Covenant. The Old Covenant, according to Haggai and Hebrews, was characterized by the earthquake on Mt. Sinai. But God promises a future shaking of not only the earth, but also the heavens, the sea, and the dry land. The shaking of the earth removed temporary things. The future shaking of the heavens, through the New Covenant, will leave only the eternal kingdom of Christ standing (see Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, 1600).

3. Haggai’s First Oracle: In Haggai’s first oracle, he reprimanded the people for building their houses and living in material comfort. They postponed the rebuilding of the Jerusalem Temple and paneled their homes instead of the floor and walls of the ruined Temple (1 Kings 6:15). Haggai invites the people to reflect on their situation and how they have fared since their return from Babylon. Haggai suggests that the “meager harvests, limited food and clothing, and economic strain” were “the result of neglecting the Temple’s reconstruction. In this case, the adversity suffered by the community stems from their spiritual indifference. They fail to see that the Lord’s Temple is a source of blessing for his people (see 1 Kings 8:27-53). How did the people respond to Haggai’s oracle? Simply put, they obeyed: “And so the Lord stirred up the spirit of the governor of Judah, Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, and the spirit of the high priest Joshua, son of Jehozadak, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people, so that they came to do the work in the house of the Lord of hosts, their God (see Haggai 1:12-15).

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, I pray that I may know you better each day. You are my redeemer and savior. You are my anointed king and Lord. Pour out your Spirit and renew me to be a witness to your saving work.

Living the Word of God: The example of Herod Antipas and that of the people of Judah can be seen as examples of spiritual indifference. Each of us is asked today by Jesus: “Who do you say that I am? Am I just another prophet, rabbi, or teacher? Do you believe that I am the Christ?” Hopefully, we respond like Peter, “You are the Christ of God,” and like Thomas, “My Lord and my God.” Not only is all history centered on Christ, but our individual and family lives should also be centered on Christ. How can I center my life on Christ concretely today?