A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 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.
In today’s Gospel, Herod had heard about Jesus and was puzzled by the various rumors going around. Had John come back to life? Had Elijah or one of the ancient prophets appeared? But Herod knows that he had already beheaded John, so he wondered who this Jesus was. As Luke tells us, Herod was unable to understand Jesus’ divinity and his miraculous works, so he kept trying to see him. Based on one’s religious upbringing or individual experiences, puzzlement and speculation exist today about Jesus—who he is and what his mission was. Elsewhere in the Gospel, is it any wonder that Jesus asks the disciples, “Who do people say that I am?”
God, help me understand that at times little distance exists between Herod’s perception of you and mine. When I am unable to see you in the course of a day, I tend toward perplexity and modern-day skepticism. Who is this Jesus, and what is this I hear about him? When I am not able to see you, Lord, what particular obstacle is in my way? When the one, ultimate explanation of causes doesn’t satisfy—that you alone are God—and instead I find myself searching among signs pointing to signs, come to my aid. Give me the grace, Lord, to hear your voice and come back to you with my whole heart. I have known your love; keep me in your care. As the responsorial refrain says, “The Lord takes delight in his people.”
From the Gospel acclamation: “I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father except through me.” Lord Jesus Christ, let me live in your truth!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.