REFLECTIONS TODAY

The enigma of Jesus continues to haunt people. This time it is Herod who is intrigued by Jesus, and in his curiosity he tries to “label him,” comparing him to John the Baptist or to one of the prophets of old. But is his desire to see and understand Jesus a sincere one? 

In this same Gospel of Luke, Herod is given a chance to satisfy his wish as he meets Jesus in the moment of the Lord’s arrest and trial (23:6-12). Herod is extremely delighted; he thinks he is meeting a celebrity who will show him miracles and wonders! And he ends up disenchanted. 

We, too, might be desirous of meeting the Lord and encountering him, but for what motive? Let us look into our hearts, and let our prayer be: Lord, help me to “know you more clearly, love you more dearly, follow you more nearly” (Prayer by Richard of Chichester)

First Reading • Eccl 1:2-11 

 Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth, vanity of vanities! All things are vanity! What profit has man from all the labor which he toils at under the sun? One generation passes and another comes, but the world forever stays.

The sun rises and the sun goes down; then it presses on to the place where it rises. Blowing now toward the south, then toward the north, the wind turns again and again, resuming its rounds.

All rivers go to the sea, yet never does the sea become full. To the place where they go, the rivers keep on going.

All speech is labored; there is nothing one can say. The eye is not satisfied with seeing nor is the ear satisfied with hearing. 

What has been, that will be; what has been done, that will be done. 

Nothing is new under the sun. Even the thing of which we say, “See, this is new!” has already existed in the ages that preceded us. 

There is no remembrance of the men of old; nor of those to come will there be any remembrance among those who come after them.

Gospel • Luke 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.

Source: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.