For any project to start and to be completed, there are at least two factors that are necessary.
One is the ability, which means the proper planning and the necessary equipment.
The other is the money which is needed to finance the project.
So, both the ability and the money are needed, and one can’t do without the other.
In the 1st reading, the people were getting disheartened and discouraged about the progress of the building of the Temple.
Both the ability and the money, as well as the materials, were lacking.
And here is where the Lord had to encourage His people, proclaiming that He will be with them to help them.
God will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land, to show His people that He is the builder of the Temple.
Indeed, if the Lord does not build the Temple, in vain will the builders labour.
Similarly, in the gospel, if Jesus did not reveal His identity to Peter, they can only guess and still not able to know who Jesus really is.
Let us remember that if God does not help us, we will labour in vain.
If God does not reveal His will and His ways to us, we will be searching in vain.
Let us pray for God’s help and He will show us that He is our God and that He will provide for us.