Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, Priest

1In the second year of king Darius, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the Lord came, by the hand of Haggai the prophet, to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Jesus the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, saying: 2Thus says the Lord of hosts, saying: This people claims that the time has not yet arrived for building the house of the Lord. 3But the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet, saying: 4Is it time for you to dwell in paneled houses, while this house is deserted? 5And now, thus says the Lord of hosts: Set your hearts upon your ways. 6You sowed much and have brought in little. You consumed and have not been satisfied. You drank and have not been inebriated. You covered yourselves and have not been warmed. And whoever gathered wages, has put them in a bag with holes. 7Thus says the Lord of hosts: Set your hearts upon your ways. 8Ascend to the mountain, bring wood and build the house, and it shall be acceptable to me, and I shall be glorified, says the Lord.

1Alleluia. Sing to the Lord a new song. His praise is in the Church of the saints.

2Let Israel rejoice in him who made them, and let the sons of Zion exult in their king.

3Let them praise his name in chorus. Let them sing psalms to him with the timbrel and the psaltery.

4For the Lord is well pleased with his people, and he will exalt the meek unto salvation.

5The saints will exult in glory. They will rejoice upon their couches.

6The exultations of God will be in their throat, and two-edged swords will be in their hands:

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9to obtain judgment over them, as it has been written. This is glory for all his saints. Alleluia.

7Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all the things that were being done by him, but he doubted, because it was said 8by some, “For John has risen from the dead,” yet truly, by others, “For Elijah has appeared,” and by still others, “For one of the prophets from of old has risen again.” 9And Herod said: “I beheaded John. So then, who is this, about whom I hear such things?” And he sought to see him.