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.
Lectio (Reading)
Read the passage twice and get a sense of what it is saying. Pay attention to what strikes you.Meditatio (Reflecting)
Slowly read the passage again, pausing on words or phrases that stands out. Take time to consider the meaning. particularly in your life.John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?” And he kept trying to see him.
Oratio (Responding)
Read the passage again, slowly. Consider how God has spoken to you and respond back to Him. You may want to consider how this passage is asking you to act differently.Sometimes I wonder why the magisterium chooses to include readings like this, in the daily missal. It must be for the sake of completeness, including the whole bible in the 3 year cycle of readings. This reading is about Herod trying to figure out who Jesus is. He had recently killed John the baptist, and so he is afraid that John has risen from the dead, and would come looking for justice.
Sinners always worry about things like this. I think this reading might simply be a foreshadowing of what will happen later in the passion of Christ. Herod’s father tried to kill Jesus, when Jesus was just a baby, but failed. This Herod, too, will hold Jesus’ Life in his hands, but because of his fear, and cowardice, he too will fail.
I guess if we are going to take any lesson from this is that we need to live with courage, and strength. Seeking righteousness, doing good and resisting evil. Staying close to the sacraments, and living in a state of grace. If we do this, then death has no power over us, there will be nothing to fear. And so when we are confronted with challenging things, then we can respond with dignity and grace. This should be the goal of all of us.
Contemplatio (Contemplating)
Take time to simply remain in the presence of God.Resolutio (Resolving)
Make a resolution that will improve your life, your relationships, or your faith. Make it small and attainable, and do it.Oh lord, give me the grace today to respond to life’s challenges with dignity and grace, so that I can do good and resist evil.