Thursday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Today’s first reading comes from the prophet Hagai. The reading recounts the prophetic call to build God a respectable house in Jerusalem on the return of the exiles from Jerusalem. Building projects and their subsequent fund drives are aparently part of salvation history from its very beginning. All humor aside, the idea of building has a venerable place in our faith. Of course, it is abused as when it is really a monument to someone’s ego. But in most cases, a church, a school, a hospital, an orphanage are manifestations of our Catholic commitment to time, place and particularly to need. When you show me how you spend your real estate and your money, I will show you your values. Historically, the church has placed the greatest priority and the praise of God, health care, and education. I’ll build to that!