the ancient prophets, had come back to life. As for Herod, he said, “I had John beheaded.
Who is this man, about whom I hear such wonders?” And he was anxious to see him.
Reflect
Human beings are endlessly creative. We can always come up with reasons why we cannot
do what we ought. We sound like the people described by the prophet Haggai. They claimed
that it wasn’t the right time to rebuild the house of God. Haggai’s response makes it clear that
taking care of our own selfish needs will never bring the satisfaction and joy we desire.
Focusing on ourselves and our immediate desires is not the way that a disciple lives. A
disciple follows the example of her teacher. As disciples of Jesus, we strive to follow his
example. Jesus always kept his Father’s will at the center of his mission. He poured himself
out for those his Father had sent him to save. In the same way, our first goal should be to
discern the Father’s will for us. Then we must ask for the grace we need to live in accord with
that will. The disciple’s life will be marked by suffering and the need for selflessness but will
bear great fruit in our lives and in the lives of those we serve. It will lead to everlasting joy.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2023