Haggai 1:15 - 2:9 / Luke 9:18-22
The Temple that was mentioned in the 1st reading was completed around 450 BC.
It was built on the site of the first Temple which was destroyed by the Babylonians a hundred years earlier.
The exiles who came back to build this temple had the support of King Darius, but they also met with a lot of resistance.
For one, the Samaritans tried to block their efforts. At times, the workmen found themselves having to build with one hand and fight off the enemy with the other.
On top of that, the crops sometimes failed. These are certainly more than just teething problems.
But as the Lord told the prophet Haggai and the leaders of the people, Zerubbabel and Joshua, to take courage and not to be afraid and the Lord promised that His Spirit will be with them as they carry out the task.
The new Temple will be glorious and with the Temple, God will also grant them peace.
Similarly, to fully realize who Jesus is, requires us to understand the path of rejection and suffering that He has taken.
That path we too will have to undertake in order to come into a deeper understanding and union with Jesus.
But just as the new Temple was eventually raised and rebuilt, we too will rise with Jesus.
We just have to take courage and not be afraid of the struggles and sufferings, and eventually we will experience the peace that only God can give.
When the Temple was eventually completed, the people really rejoiced and celebrated.
This experience of the Jews in re-building the Temple serves to remind us that perseverance and commitment do not go wasted or uncounted.
Especially so when our commitment and perseverance in our faithfulness to God is put to the test.
To hear the Word of God and to put it into practice demands commitment and perseverance.
Especially in the areas like prayer time, moral decisions, life choices, service, etc.
As brothers and sisters of Jesus, let us deepen our commitment to God as we persevere in building God's kingdom on earth.