Daily Mass Readings – Friday, 24 September 2027

1 And in the seventh month, the word of the Lord came by the hand of Aggeus the prophet, saying:

2 Speak to Zorobabel the son of Salathiel the governor of Juda, and to Jesus the son of Josedec the high priest, and to the rest of the people, saying:

3 Who is left among you, that saw this house in its first glory? and how do you see it now? is it not in comparison to that as nothing in your eyes?

4 Yet now take courage, O Zorobabel, saith the Lord, and take courage, O Jesus the son of Josedec the high priest, and take courage, all ye people of the land, saith the Lord of hosts: and perform (for I am with you, saith the Lord of hosts)

5 The word that I covenanted with you when you came out of the land of Egypt: and my spirit shall be in the midst of you: fear not.

6 For thus saith the Lord of hosts: Yet one little while, and I will move the heaven and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land.

7 And I will move all nations: AND THE DESIRED OF ALL NATIONS SHALL COME: and I will fill this house with glory: saith the Lord of hosts.

8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts.

9 Great shall be the glory of this last house more than of the first, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place I will give peace, saith the Lord of hosts.

R. (5) Hope in God; I will praise him, my savior and my God.

1 Judge me, O God, and distinguish my cause from the nation that is not holy: deliver me from the unjust and deceitful man.

R. Hope in God; I will praise him, my savior and my God.

2 For thou art God my strength: why hast thou cast me off? and why do I go sorrowful whilst the enemy afflicteth me?

R. Hope in God; I will praise him, my savior and my God.

3 Send forth thy light and thy truth: they have conducted me, and brought me unto thy holy hill, and into thy tabernacles.

R. Hope in God; I will praise him, my savior and my God.

4 And I will go in to the altar of God: to God who giveth joy to my youth. To thee, O God my God, I will give praise upon the harp: why art thou sad, O my soul?

R. Hope in God; I will praise him, my savior and my God.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

45 The Son of Man came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

18 And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples also were with him: and he asked them, saying: Whom do the people say that I am?

19 But they answered, and said: John the Baptist; but some say Elias; and others say that one of the former prophets is risen again.

20 And he said to them: But whom do you say that I am? Simon Peter answering, said: The Christ of God.

21 But he strictly charging them, commanded they should tell this to no man.

22 Saying: The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the ancients and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and the third day rise again.

God’s work can seem small when measured against the past. The people rebuilding the temple saw only what was lacking, yet the Lord told them to take courage: he was with them, his Spirit remained among them, and he promised a glory greater than what they remembered. The psalm gives voice to the same movement of faith. In sorrow and confusion, the soul waits for God’s light and truth, trusting that they will lead it again to the altar and to joy.

That hope becomes focused in Jesus. Peter confesses him as the Christ of God, but Jesus immediately reveals that his messiahship will be expressed through suffering, rejection, death, and resurrection. The Son of Man serves and gives his life as a ransom; divine glory does not follow the world’s measure of power. When our own efforts seem unimpressive or our faith feels overshadowed by difficulty, we can still place our hope in God. His presence is not proved by appearances. We ask for his light, remain faithful in service, and trust that he is bringing his peace and glory in ways we cannot yet see.

Lord God, when I see weakness, loss, or unfinished work, give me courage to remember that you are with your people. Send forth your light and truth to guide my judgment, steady my hope, and lead me again to you. Jesus, Christ of God, teach me to recognize your glory in humble service and faithful suffering. Keep me from seeking greatness according to the world’s measure. Shape my life into an offering of love, and let your Spirit dwell within me. May I trust your promise of peace even before I see its fullness. Amen.