He was anxious to meet Jesus

 

 

Welcome to my blog. Peace be with you.

Today in the reading prescribed by the Catholic Church, we read of King Herod who was anxious to meet Jesus. Everyone should be anxious to meet Jesus. He alone is the source of peace and happiness in our life.

Thursday 24 September 2020

He was anxious to meet Jesus

Gospel

Luke 9:7-9

'John? I beheaded him; so who is this?'

Herod the tetrarch had heard about all that was being done by Jesus; and he was puzzled, because some people were saying that John had risen from the dead, others that Elijah had reappeared, still others that one of the ancient prophets had come back to life. But Herod said, ‘John? I beheaded him. So who is this I hear such reports about?’ And he was anxious to see Jesus.

 

Prayerful reflection

Herod was a man who lived for the pleasures offered by this world. If Jesus didn’t interfere with this, Herod would not be concerned. John had interfered and Herod had had him beheaded. We do not know why Herod was anxious to see Jesus. Jesus was neither afraid of Herod nor anxious to see him. He told the Pharisees who warned him of Herod, ‘Go and tell that fox…” When Pilate sent him to Herod, he refused to answer his questions or work a miracle as Herod mockingly requested.

People who like Herod are wedded to this world have no interest in Jesus. They anxious seek the pleasures of this world. The end of such is the same as that of Herod in Acts 12.

“21 On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat on the platform, and delivered a public address to them.  The people kept shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a mortal!”  And immediately, because he had not given the glory to God, an angel of the LORD struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.”

Only Jesus can give us eternal life and true riches. All the rest is but an illusion of wealth, power, fame and pleasure. Everyone should be anxious to meet Jesus, not out of idle curiosity but to receive true salvation. For such, Jesus is more than anxious to meet them. He came to give his life for them.