Posted by The WORD in other words (2014) by Father Jun de Ocampo SVD – Berlin, Germany
Thursday 25th Week in Ordinary Time
In the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar, King Herod challenges Jesus to walk across his swimming pool. The scene is an allusion to Jesus walking on the waters of the Sea of Galilee and serves as a modern interpretation of Herod’s desire to see Jesus, as described in today’s Gospel.
Herod had ordered the beheading of John the Baptist, and his conscience was deeply troubled. When reports reached him about Jesus performing miracles throughout his territory, he became disturbed and confused. Some were saying that John the Baptist had risen from the dead; others believed that Jesus might be Elijah or one of the ancient prophets returned to life (Luke 9:7-8). Herod’s curiosity grew, and so “he kept trying to see him” (Luke 9:9).
Yet Herod’s desire to see Jesus was not born of faith. First, he wanted to witness something spectacular. He was fascinated by the miracles and hoped to be entertained by a display of power. Second, he was driven by fear, for the voice of conscience continued to accuse him through the memory of John the Baptist. In a sense, the truth that John had proclaimed was still haunting him.
When Herod finally encountered Jesus during His Passion, he was disappointed. Hoping to see a miracle, he questioned Jesus at length, but “Jesus gave him no answer” (Luke 23:9). Seeing only a helpless prisoner mocked by soldiers, Herod failed to recognize the Savior standing before him. He sent Jesus back to Pilate, having learned nothing and gained nothing.
Jesus never performed miracles merely to impress people. He did not come to win admiration but to bring salvation. As He Himself declared: “The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19:10). His mission was not to satisfy curiosity but to reveal the Father’s love and mercy.
Herod looked at Jesus through the eyes of fascination and fear. True vision, however, comes only through faith. It is faith that enables us to recognize God’s presence in Jesus, even when He appears weak, suffering, and crucified. As St. Paul teaches: “We walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).
This Gospel invites us to continue seeking Jesus, but with believing hearts. We are called to keep trying to see Him—not merely in extraordinary events, but in the ordinary circumstances of daily life. We encounter Him in His Word, in the sacraments, in the poor, the forgotten, and even in those people whom we find difficult to love. For Jesus Himself said: “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40).
Let us also allow Jesus to see us: our joys and disappointments, our strengths and weaknesses, our hopes and fears. The more we bring our lives before Him, the more we learn to recognize Him walking with us.
May we make time to see Jesus each day:
- by reading and praying with Sacred Scripture;
- by receiving the sacraments, especially Reconciliation and the Holy Eucharist;
- by recognizing His presence in our brothers and sisters;
- by living with the eyes of faith rather than mere curiosity.
Then, unlike Herod, we will not merely look at Jesus—we will truly see Him.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, open the eyes of my heart that I may recognize You in the ordinary events of my life. Free me from curiosity without faith and from fear that blinds me to Your presence. Help me to see You in Your Word, in the Eucharist, in the poor, and in every person I meet. May I seek You with a sincere heart and find You as my Lord and Savior. Amen.
