24-Sep-15

Gospel LK 9:7-9
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.
Reflection:
In the days when Jesus walked the earth, many people were perplexed by him in spite of his declaration that he was the long awaited Messiah, "Very truly, I tell you, before Abraham was, I am.” (John 8:58)
Jesus asked his disciples,“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:13-16)
Herod the tetrarch, who earlier had John the Baptist beheaded, heard this talk. He was curious about Jesus, saying, "John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things? And he kept trying to see him."
Today, some may say Jesus was a great prophet, others may say he was a wondrous miracle worker. Still others, like Peter, may believe Jesus to be "the Son of the living God."
But, each of us must answer for ourselves who we believe Jesus Christ to be.
If, like Peter, we believe Jesus to be the Son of God, then like Herod, we too will continue "trying to see him."
Jesus is not hard to find. Look in those places where he spent most of his time when he walked the earth.
In our time, you will find Jesus with Pope Francis, among the poor.

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor." Luke 4:18