Thursday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
The whole gospel is short and sweet it says:
“Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening,
and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying,
‘John has been raised from the dead’;
others were saying, ‘Elijah has appeared’;
still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.’
But Herod said, ‘John I beheaded.
Who then is this about whom I hear such things?’
And he kept trying to see him.”
Who are these people saying this? It was Jesus’ disciples who were saying this to him when he asked, “Who do people say that I am?” Then Jesus says, “but who do YOU say that I am?” If you notice, he gives his name when he says, “I am,” and Peter says, “you are the Christ!”
It was good that Herod was trying to see him because, if you remember, Herod didn’t want John the Baptist killed because he liked hearing him speak. So Herod was probably wondering, “if this is John I, could still be redeemed.” And if Herod was trying to see Jesus, he would have been redeemed. But in his passion, he didn’t want anything to do with him because, to him, he was just a normal man. However, with the passion account, Herod and Pontius Pilot, who were enemies, became friends that day! See Jesus can bring people together even the worst of enemies. Remember that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life that can bring anyone together!
Reflection by Br. Maximilian Burkhart, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections