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Gospel: Luke 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.
The Gospel of the Lord.
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King Herod wants a word with Jesus. But he’s denied the opportunity until Jesus is hours from his death.
According to Luke’s Gospel, after Pontius Pilate interrogates Jesus and finds no guilt in him, he sends Jesus to Herod.
Finally, Herod gets his chance. Yet when he begins questioning the Lord, Jesus is silent.
Imagine having the opportunity to ask the Son of God any question you want, and he ignores you.
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Why would Jesus be silent?
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He read Herod’s heart.
Herod did not take the Lord seriously. He was only interested in seeing a “sign,” as if everything Jesus did was a magic trick. As a result of his silence, Herod mocks Jesus, clothing him in a king’s robe, parading him around his court like a jester.
Secondly, Herod lived with a false sense of security.
Surrounded by bodyguards, palace walls, hard and soft power, he was incapable of bending the knee. His attachment to worldly things blinded him to the King of Glory and to what became his day of judgment.
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Like Herod, we will all have our day with Jesus.
But Christians treat him, not as someone to be mocked, rather as the most important person in the universe. Whatever he says, we do. Wherever he goes, we follow.
As we often pray during Lent while reciting the Stations of the Cross, “We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you, for by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.”
May we spend this day ready to meet the King.
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Image credits: (1) Saint Edward’s Crown, Wikipedia (2) My Catholic Life! (3) Prenger Solutions Group