Consider how you have fared

 

Let us give God first priority in our lives.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, Thursday of 25th Week in Ordinary Time, Year I, Sept. 28th, 2023
Texts: Haggai 1:1-8; Psalm 149:1-6,9; Luke 9:7-9 

Today’s first reading speaks to us about reflection on why our life is what it is. Prophet Haggai says, “Consider how you have fared. 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.” What is the solution? He says, “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.” 

The problem of the people in that time was placing themselves first before God. This is clear in the word of the prophet: “This people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the  Lord. Then the word of the  Lord came by Haggai the prophet, ‘Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your panelled houses, while this house lies in ruins?’” Where do we place God in our lives? Where do we place God in our families? We lose God once we do not give Him first priority. Let us give God first priority in our lives and various families. 

We will pursue righteous living if we give first priority to God

The problem of our time is not also different. The address to us could be like this: consider how you have fared. Why is there insecurities everywhere? Why do you often make wrong choices of leaders every election season? Is not because you place money above God? Why is there so much corruption in your land? Is it not because you place wealth above God? Why are you victims of religious manipulation? Is it not because you place your problem above God? If we place God first, we will keep and do His word. We will pursue righteous living if we give first priority to God. 

Some of us are like king Herod who wanted to see Jesus Christ to satisfy his curiosity. Some of us are close to Jesus Christ just because our problems have driven us to Him. We cannot also doubt the fact that some of us are seeking to quieten the fear in us. What about those who see it as normal thing, nothing special. Relationship with Jesus Christ should be inspired by the conviction that He is the truth, the way and the life. It is then we will be obedient to Him and follow His ways.  

Prayer  

God our Father, inspire in us such courage and love that can make us give You first priority; may our problem and desire for wealth never take us away from You. May we be obedient to You and follow Your ways. Amen  

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke