His Name is Jesus
24 Sept 2009
Today’s Readings: Hg 1:1-8/ Lk 9:7-9
REFLECTION
Today’s gospel we hear Herod sought to see Jesus more out of curiosity and fear than out of a sincere desire to know God and his word. Despite the fact that Jesus didn’t do his miracles to impress people, the miracles he performed were impressive. They were so impressive that Herod learned about them and he was curious and fascinated. Like Herod, many people are “perplexed” regarding some of the events in their lives. They rightly sense that their confusion would be cleared up if they meet Jesus. They will never get beyond this perplexed curiosity until they do two things: repent and believe. However, like Herod, when they do encounter Christ, they often retreat into selfishness and refuse to meet Christ on His terms.
We don’t have to be confused, frustrated, depressed, stressed, or unhappy. Peace, happiness, and fulfillment are as accessible to us as the decision to obey Jesus. We only have one Way out of vanity, perplexity, and curiosity. His name is Jesus. Life without a total commitment to Christ is not just vanity, but all vanity. Work, sex, speech, sight, and hearing are all vanity without Jesus. Because of this, you would think that people would be eager to know and love Christ, since He is the only Meaning to life.
The reactions of worldly people to Christ are often like Herod’s reaction. They find Christ perplexing and are “very curious to see Him”. Jesus broke the spell of deadly vanity. “This means that if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old order has passed away; now all is new!” Jesus became a human being and entered our vicious cycle of vanity, illusion, and despair. Although He was crucified and murdered, He was not destroyed by this fallen world. Jesus rose from the dead. This was new — radically and totally new.
PRAYER
Father Almighty, form in us the likeness of your Son and deepen his life within us that we may be like him in word and deed. Increase our eagerness to do your will and help us to know the saving power of your love. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
