FRIDAY, TWENTY FIFTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Hg 2: 1-9 Ps 43: 1-4 Lk 9: 18-22
SMALL TODAY, GLORIOUS TOMORROW
Have you ever poured your energy into something with high hopes like, planting a garden, preparing a big event, even rebuilding parts of our lives, only to step back and feel disappointed? We expect something grand, something glorious, and instead we see something plain, incomplete, or slow to grow. We wonder, “Is this it? Was all that effort worth it?” That’s how the people felt in today’s First Reading from the prophet Haggai. They had rebuilt the Temple, but compared to Solomon’s majestic version, it looked dim. Disappointed, they thought, “Is this all?” But God responds with encouragement, “Take courage and work, for I am with you. The glory of this house will be greater than the former.” God was not focused on the size of the stones, but on the strength of their hearts. He reminded them that the great things often begin small.
In today’s Gospel we see Jesus asking, “Who do people say I am?” That is easy, He is asking us to repeat what others say. But then He asks the real question, “Who do you say I am?” This is not just about information. It is about identity, relationship, and faith. Peter boldly says, “You are the Messiah of God.” But Jesus does not promise immediate victory. He speaks of suffering, rejection, death and resurrection. Because the path to glory is not flashy, but it is faithful.
So what does this mean for us? Like the people of Haggai’s time, we often look at our lives and feel they are not measuring up. We compare, we doubt, we wonder if our efforts matter spiritually, emotionally, even professionally. But the truth is that, God treasures faithfulness over fame. He sees the hidden efforts, the quiet perseverance. He promises that what looks small today can shine with glory tomorrow. So let us not be discouraged by the present. Do not underestimate what God can do with our “little.” If our answer to Jesus is personal, that is, “You are my Messiah,” then take courage. Let us keep building, praying, trusting. Because with God, what starts small, ends glorious.
Response: Hope in God; I will praise him yet again, my saving presence and my God.
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