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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.” Luke 9:7–8
Herod the tetrarch, also known as Herod Antipas, ruled the Jews of
Galilee for some forty-two years. He began his reign in 2 BC and
continued to reign until he was exiled by the Roman Emperor in 37
AD. During his reign, he spent much time in Tiberias, one of the
main cities on the western edge of the Sea of Galilee. Most of
Jesus’ ministry took place within the region of Herod’s domain, all
of Galilee, so Herod was very aware of the many stories about
Jesus.
Today’s Gospel concludes by saying that Herod kept trying to see
Jesus. Of course, Herod, just like anyone living in that region,
could have traveled to where Jesus was preaching so as to listen to
Him at any time. But he didn’t do that. Instead, he continued to
receive reports about Jesus and remained curious about Him, trying
to find a way to figure out Who Jesus was.
Try to imagine what would have happened if Herod would have
traveled to where Jesus was preaching so as to listen to Him with
an open heart. If he would have done that, and truly listened,
Herod would have received one of the greatest gifts imaginable. He
would have received the gift of faith and conversion and would have
begun down the road toward eternal salvation. But Herod was living
an immoral life. He was known to be a cruel leader and also an
unrepentant adulterer. He loved his power and was quite jealous of
it. Herod most likely knew, at least in the back of his mind, that
if he were to listen to Jesus, he would have to change. And he most
likely didn’t want to change.
This presents us all with a powerful lesson. Each one of us can
easily dismiss various communications and invitations from our
Lord, because, deep down, we do not want to change. God is speaking
to us all day long, every day of our lives. He is constantly
offering us His message of the full Gospel. And though you may be
open to much of what God says, there are most likely parts of His
divine message that you either knowingly or unknowingly do not
listen to. The key to being able to hear everything that God wants
to speak to you is to be disposed to completely change in any and
every way that God wants you to change.
Reflect, today, upon Herod. First, reflect upon his curiosity about
Jesus. This is a good quality, in that it’s much better than being
indifferent. From there, think also about the fact that Herod never
went to Jesus to listen to Him. His first meeting with Jesus was on
the night of His arrest, when he interrogated our Lord and made fun
of Him. As you consider Herod’s obstinacy, use it as an examination
of your own life. Where you see any small reflection of obstinacy,
fear of change or a closed heart, seek to remedy that by turning to
our Lord telling Him you are open to all He wishes to say and that
you are ready and willing to change in any way He calls you to do
so. Do not fear the change our Lord wants of you. Embracing that
change will land you on the quick and narrow road toward true
holiness of life.
My ever-present Lord, You call to me day and night, inviting me
to change as I listen to Your holy Word. I thank You for these
constant promptings of grace and commit myself to remain open to
all that You ask of me. I choose You, my Lord. And as I turn to
You, I pray that I will have the courage I need to respond
wholeheartedly to Your call. Jesus, I trust in You.
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Featured image above: John the Baptist reproving Herod
by John Rogers Herbert, via Wikimedia Commons
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