Even those who resist the Truth (with a capital “T”) are still very much interested in hearing it. Why is that? Because the Truth is written on every human heart. We cannot deny our very nature and when we do, we are not at peace and lose our joy. Man was made for God, to love him and serve him. In addition, man cannot heal himself. We are all born with concupiscence, which plagues us until the day we die. All the “programs”, self-help books. governments, NGOs & agendas in the entire world are no substitute or cure. It’s been 2000 years since Jesus walked the earth. He offered us a “Sacramental solution” to the sickness that plagues mankind. And in that time, humanity as a whole still resists the very thing that can help it. Baptism, the Sacrament of Confession, & the Holy Eucharist are indeed the “medicine” the world needs so desperately.

Gospel Text: (Lk 9:7-9)

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.

 

This gospel passage presents us all with a powerful lesson. Each one of us can easily dismiss various communications and invitations from our Lord, because, deep down, we do not want to change. God is speaking to us all day long, every day of our lives. He is constantly offering us His message of the full Gospel. And though you may be open too much of what God says, there are most likely parts of His divine message that you either knowingly or unknowingly do not listen to. The key to being able to hear everything that God wants to speak to you is to be disposed to completely change in any and every way that God wants you to change.

 

Reflect, today, upon Herod. First, reflect upon his curiosity about Jesus. This is a good quality, in that it’s much better than being indifferent. From there, think also about the fact that Herod never went to Jesus to listen to Him. His first meeting with Jesus was on the night of His arrest, when he interrogated our Lord and made fun of Him. As you consider Herod’s obstinacy, use it as an examination of your own life. Where you see any small reflection of obstinacy, fear of change or a closed heart, seek to remedy that by turning to our Lord telling Him you are open to all He wishes to say and that you are ready and willing to change in any way He calls you to do so. Do not fear the change our Lord wants of you. Embracing that change will land you on the quick and narrow road toward true holiness of life.