Thursday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time

(Ecclesiastes 1:2-11; Luke 9:7-9)

In the original Greek of today’s gospel passage, as well as the translation used for Mass, Jesus’ name is never mentioned.  Yet he causes King Herod to wonder.  Jewish leaders in Jerusalem have likewise taken notice of Jesus.  “What is he really like?” all seem to ask.

People ask similar questions today as well.  Who is the one whose birth divides history?  What is it about him that has sent millions of followers to teach and heal in his name?   And how could he be at the root of human rights and his name universally associated with blissful peace?

We may feel uplifted by these questions.  But we might be disturbed by them as well. Called “Christian” after his title “Christ,” we must live up to all that the word implies to have integrity.  That is, we must practice his self-sacrificing love with everyone we meet.