The WORD in other words (2018) by Rev Rafael Costa Gomes SVD – Portugal
Thursday 25th Week in Ordinary Time
Herod is curious to meet a man who sounded like the one whom he beheaded, John the Baptist. We are not Herod, but more often than not, we act like him. We are curious to get to know Jesus; we love to listen to him. It is like meeting a famous rock star and taking a “selfie” with him. However, we continue to be blind and deaf, because we have been so laidback and superficial in our adherence to Him.
In this passage, we can deduce the following: Herod seems proud for having executed John. The power of the world silences the instruments that God uses for Him to be heard. We prefer prophets to be silent and dumbs to speak.
Prophets who speak to our conscience when we go astray we find annoying. We opt to silence them. Those who give beautiful speeches but make no sense neither disturb nor interfere with us, nor teach us anything.
What does God want from us? Do we want to know him deeper and be encouraged to follow him? We are free to choose, so that we may become the choices that define us as men and women of our time.
Only with commitment, and not curiosity, that we are able to deepen our knowledge and relationship with Jesus, for he is only known to the heart of those who love him. Therefore, if we wish to love Him whom we want to know, may the feeling of mere curiosity be transformed into a sense of authentic discipleship of the Lord.
