Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening,
and he was greatly perplexed...
Today's gospel appears as a snippet of political events surrounding Jesus. The Evangelists Mark and Luke used it to create a sense of time passing between two incidents. In this case, Jesus' sending his disciples from village to village proclaiming the good news and curing diseases everywhere and their return, when they explained to him what they had done.
Saint Mark's Herod had a superstitious fear that the beheaded John the Baptist had reappeared to torment him. Saint Luke's Herod is more realistic; he knows the Baptist is dead but he wonders nonetheless about this new prophet who has appeared. He will be satisfied only when Pilate sends the Nazarene to the tetrarch's court during Jesus' trial. Consequently, Luke says, "Herod and Pilate became friends that very day, even though they had been enemies formerly." Jesus became a pawn in the political intrigues of Pilate and Herod.
What does the world do with the mystery of faith? They cannot accept its challenge; nor can they live with its uncertainty. Faith opens a dimension of unpredictability in human affairs; it introduces the agency of God into their game of thrones. But the players regard God as a most unwelcome player even when he appears without the power and majesty of divinity. He must be contained, curtailed, controlled and finally eliminated. In the process of destroying Jesus, Pilate used him to cement a relationship with Herod as he maneuvered in the Roman game of power and survival; but neither could imagine the significance of their action.
Luke's story of Herod and Pilate and their unlikely alliance actually signals the endgame. Periodically the motions and movements of historical events intensify and swirl into a hurricane of violence. Sides are drawn and neutral elements must choose between one or the other. Good and evil stand against each other. Even pacifists must choose which side they will serve.
Christians see the crucifixion of Jesus as such an apocalyptic event. Amid the chaos and turmoil his cross is the touchstone which proves or disproves the worth of every individual. In today's story, we hear that Herod was perplexed. He was confused; he didn't know what to make of rumors about Jesus. But he still had time; he might have chosen rightly despite his murder of John the Baptist.
But he was only curious about Jesus, like a cat that plays with its mouse before killing it. Herod is a slave to his power, as helpless as the cat's victim. He, his friend Pilate and all their ilk will be destroyed on Judgement Day.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.