Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, Priest

1In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, the LORD’s word came by Haggai the prophet, to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, saying, 2“This is what the LORD of Armies says: These people say, ‘The time hasn’t yet come, the time for the LORD’s house to be built.’” 3Then the LORD’s word came by Haggai the prophet, saying, 4“Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies waste? 5Now therefore this is what the LORD of Armies says: ‘Consider your ways. 6You have sown much, and bring in little. You eat, but you don’t have enough. You drink, but you aren’t filled with drink. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages earns wages to put them into a bag with holes in it.’ 7“This is what the LORD of Armies says: ‘Consider your ways. 8Go up to the mountain, bring wood, and build the house. I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified,” says the LORD.

1Praise the LORD!

Sing to the LORD a new song,

his praise in the assembly of the saints.

2Let Israel rejoice in him who made them.

Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.

3Let them praise his name in the dance!

Let them sing praises to him with tambourine and harp!

4For the LORD takes pleasure in his people.

He crowns the humble with salvation.

5Let the saints rejoice in honor.

Let them sing for joy on their beds.

6May the high praises of God be in their mouths,

and a two-edged sword in their hand,

…

9to execute on them the written judgment.

All his saints have this honor.

Praise the LORD!

7Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him; and he was very perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead, 8and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen again. 9Herod said, “I beheaded John, but who is this about whom I hear such things?” He sought to see him.