Hope

In the second year of King Darius, on the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai: Tell this to the governor of Judah, Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, and to the high priest Joshua, son of Jehozadak, and to the remnant of the people: Who is left among you that saw this house in its former glory? And how do you see it now? Does it not seem like nothing in your eyes?

But now take courage, Zerubbabel, says the LORD, and take courage, Joshua, high priest, son of Jehozadak, and take courage, all you people of the land, says the LORD, and work! For I am with you, says the LORD of hosts. This is the pact that I made with you when you came out of Egypt, and my spirit continues in your midst; do not fear! 

For thus says the LORD of hosts: One moment yet, a little while, and I will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all the nations, and the treasures of all the nations will come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD of hosts. Mine is the silver and mine the gold, says the LORD of hosts. Greater will be the future glory of this house than the former, says the LORD of hosts; And in this place I will give you peace, says the LORD of hosts! (Haggai 2:1-9)

The past will be nothing like the future, so says the LORD.  The future promises glory, greatness, and peace.  The prophet Haggai speaks of King Darius, the Persian King. Darius the Great was known for his administrative genius, his great building projects and his benevolence toward the diverse peoples under his sovereignty. His policies and building projects helped fortify his vast empire and enhance trade throughout.  He reigned from 522-486 BC Darius led military campaigns in Europe, Greece, and even in the Indus valley, conquering lands and expanding his empire.

We hope our past will be nothing like our future.  We hope the future promises glory, greatness, and peace.  We hope despite our Afghanistan legacy and failures; Covid-19 pandemic deaths and misery; extreme political divisiveness and a diminished United States in the eyes of the world and our allies; many disillusioned Catholics abandoning their faith and beliefs; climate change with increasing severe heat waves, droughts, flooding, wildfires, and Arctic ice and glacier melting.  

Our hopes may not reign supreme, but we still have a strong conviction that collectively we can overcome past and current obstacles to glory, greatness, and peace.  Take courage, says the LORD. Take courage, all you people of the land, says the LORD, and work together for the common good. I am with you, says the LORD of hosts. This is the pact that I made with you at your baptism, and my spirit continues in your midst; do not fear!  

Nevertheless, we must work together!

Deacon David Pierce