The words of a prophet will frequently be quite the opposite of popular opinion: Haggai was at variance with the people over the time to rebuild the Temple. As a true prophet he calls upon the people to consider their ways - to look at themselves and their lifestyle and so to come to a realization that their way of thinking may be quite wrong. Towards the end of this passage, Haggai does give direct instructions about collecting timber to rebuild the Temple. Before these direct commands, however, he called them to reflection: "consider your ways".

Many people nowadays do not like to be told what to do: they especially resent moral guidance as an imposition and infringement of their human rights and freedom. They would be even more resentful of Haggai's suggestion that they should "consider their ways", since this call implies that there might be something wrong with their ways.

The modern world especially needs to hear the call: "consider our ways". The Church continually issues this call. So, John Paul II called us back from the culture of death to a culture of life and a civilization of love. We can be confident that Pope Benedict will in his own way issue the same call.