Thursday of the
Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
(Haggai 1:1-8; Luke 9:7-9)
There is much excitement over Pope Francis’ visit to the
United States. Masses of people are
waiting eight hours just to see him. Francis,
however, hardly seems the type of person who wants so much attention. He
would likely advise the people not to bother trying to see him. Rather, he would want them to make a similar
commitment to the vulnerable as he has.
The gospel today presents a man who is as anxious to see Jesus as people
today are to see Francis.
Herod Antipas is curious about Jesus. He wants to see the man who works
wonders. He knows that Jesus is not John
reincarnate as many people think. When
the two finally meet at the end of the gospel, he will ask Jesus many questions. But he will receive no response. Jesus has not come to satisfy the curiosity
of proud kings such as Herod. He is here
to show God’s kingdom to those who repent of their sins.
Still it is worthwhile to go out of our way to see the
pope. We would be with a throng of other
people whose faith will strengthen ours.
We will be left with a memory of a man who came out of his way to serve
us. Hopefully, then we will go out of
our way to serve others.
