Gospel: September 26, 2025
September 26, 2025 (Friday)
25th Week in Ordinary Time
Psalter: Week 1 (Green/Red)
St. Cosmas and St. Damian, martyrs
Ps 43:1, 2, 3, 4
Hope in God; I will praise him, my savior and my God.
1st Reading: Haggai 2:1-9
Gospel: Luke 9:18-22
One day, when Jesus was praying alone, not far from his disciples, he asked them, “What do people say about me?” And they answered, “Some say, that you are John the Baptist; others say, that you are Elijah; and still others, that you are one of the prophets of old, risen from the dead.” Again Jesus asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “The Messiah of God.” Then Jesus spoke to them, giving them strict orders not to tell this to anyone. And he added, “The Son of Man must suffer many things. He will be rejected by the elders and chief priests and teachers of the law, and be put to death. Then after three days he will be raised to life.”
Reflection:
“Do not be discouraged…”
“Begin to work, for I am with you.” Today’s passage from Haggai helps us to expand on the theme of rebuilding lives. Like Zerubbabel and Joshua, we might have the desire to get some order into our lives once again after a major shock. But when we begin, we might realize the enormity of the task and lose heart. Haggai presents God’s word to the people, and God says, “Do not be discouraged… Do not be afraid… Begin to work, for I am with you.”
The prospect of trying to achieve it on our own seems impossible, but God tells us that we are not alone. He is with us in our trials, in our efforts and in our achievements, strengthening us, giving us peace. Moreover, God did not create a mass of isolated individuals, but families and communities, that the burdens of life might be shouldered together. The message given through Haggai was not only for Zerubbabel or Joshua but for “all the people.” Therefore, prompted by our love of the Lord, we are not to be interested only in our own house, but in the well-being of others, too, giving them support and bringing them God’s peace.
