Posted by The WORD in other words (2006) by Fr Noel Rebancos SVD – Divine Word College of Legazpi
Thursday 25th Week in Ordinary Time
Today’s Gospel reminds me of a friend, who, after hearing the goodness done by a healer, asked me this question: “Have you heard of the man they are talking about?” I was about to respond when another question was asked. “Do you know him?” This time I said: “I have not yet seen him.” With this answer I was brought to the awareness that I have to know more about Him – a call for me to have a deeper knowledge of Him.
In the Gospel of today, Jesus initiated to get the attention of Herod. He tried to lead him to see and believe through the good works He had done. But Herod was greatly confused and perplexed instead. It maybe because negative thoughts were still operating within him, “…I had John’s head cut off…” This may be the reason why he could not truly LISTEN to Jesus. The fear that, if John may have risen from the dead and allowed to continue doing miracles and extraordinary good works, he might become somebody, a prophet or even the Messiah, a real threat to Herod himself.
God’s goodness is innate in every individual. “He created us in His image and likeness.” (Gen 1,26-27) I am aware that I can also be like Herod. But God is so good. He initiates…He always invites me to be closer to Him, to know Him more, to discover something more about Him…and the truth of Himself. He patiently waits for me to see and feel His presence manifested in the events within, around me and in the signs of the times. I could hardly listen to Him since I allow petty voices within me. The voices of anger, hatred, jealousy, inability to forgive and other negative thoughts and feelings keep disturbing me.
I had John’s head cut off…Jesus is urging me to cut off my evil tendencies and vices because these are not helpful to me and others. I have to take some precautionary measures to attain my goal to LISTEN to Him attentively, to what He is telling me. In this way, an inmate relationship with Him could happen. There will be union of mind and heart. We are no longer two but one.
God is always inviting me… “And he kept trying to see Him…” for a change of heart, repentance and ongoing conversion so that my wish to be united with Him will come true. My clue is to KEEP WATCH…to be watchful all the time of my THOUGHTS, WORDS and ACTIONS. Above all, I have to CONNECT with Him always and beg for the GRACE to SUSTAIN me every minute of my life. Left alone, I cannot go on.
May this sense of CONNECTION with Him through PRAYER be my STRONGHOLD and SAFETY as I continue to JOURNEY with Him, giving myself in SERVICE for HIS KINGDOM.
