We often struggle with prioritizing the important over the urgent, and today's readings call us to re-establish our spiritual priorities...
We often struggle with prioritizing the important over the urgent, and today's readings call us to re-establish our spiritual priorities using the words Focus, Fruit, and Future.
The prophet Haggai calls out the people's misplaced Focus. He asks, "Is it time for you to dwell in your paneled houses, while that house lies desolate?" Their attention was on their own comfort and personal dwellings, neglecting the house of the Lord and, by extension, God's place in their lives. We are called today to examine our focus: where do we spend our time, money, and energy? Is God's house—the Church, and our own souls—receiving the attention it deserves?
Haggai notes the result of their distraction: a lack of Fruit. "You have sown much, and brought in little; you have eaten, but have not had enough." Spiritual and material scarcity often follow when we neglect our primary focus. On the other hand, a life centered on Christ is a life of true, sustaining fruitfulness.
Finally, the Gospel reminds us of our Future. Herod’s curiosity about Jesus was rooted in fear and uncertainty. He’s looking backward—is this John, whom I beheaded? He’s unsure of the Future. But our response to Jesus must be one of faith, not mere curiosity. The rebuilding of the Temple promised a glorious Future with the Lord.
Let us correct our Focus today, ensuring God is first; then we will surely reap abundant Fruit in this life and secure our joyful Future in the next. Amen.
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