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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider Who then is this...?

Who then is this...?

Published Sep 25, 2025 12:01 am  |  Updated Sep 24, 2025 04:44 pm
REFLECTIONS TODAY
Jesus has been many things to many people. He is seen by some people as John the Baptist raised from the dead.
Others have mistaken him for the fiery prophet Elijah, while others have thought of him as one of the proph-ets of old. Herod the tetrarch has also heard of Jesus, and as he is very curious about him, he wants to see Jesus.
Herod will finally get his wish when Jesus is sent to him prior to the crucifixion. He gets angry at Jesus who refuses to answer his questions and to work a miracle.
After such brief meeting, Herod dismisses Jesus as insignificant, who does not pose any threat to his power, and returns him to Pilate.
How sad the reality that some people nowadays are not even curious about Jesus. Some consider him as a good man but somebody who belongs to the past and thus totally irrelevant to their present existence.
Many people do not appreciate Jesus’ offer to accompany us in life by guiding us through his word and show-ing us his example of life. Other people sometimes think that it would be a lot easier to become a good Christian if they had lived in Jesus’ time and met him personally.
Today’s Gospel tells us that meeting Jesus in flesh and blood is no guarantee of a changed life.
Herod the tetrarch came face to face with Jesus but chose to put him on the cross rather than acknowledge his divinity.
First Reading • Hg 1:1-8 1
On the first day of the sixth month in the second year of King Darius, the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai to the governor of Judah, Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, and to the high priest Joshua, son of Je-hozadak:
Thus says the Lord of hosts: This people says: “The time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord.” (Then this word of the Lord came through Haggai, the prophet:) Is it time for you to dwell in your own paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?
Now thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways! You have sown much, but have brought in little; you have eaten, but have not been satisfied; you have drunk, but have not been exhilarated; have clothed yourselves, but not been warmed; and whoever earned wages earned them for a bag with holes in it.
Thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways! Go up into the hill country; bring timber, and build the house that I may take pleasure in it and receive my glory, says the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm • Ps 149
“The Lord takes delight in his people.”
Gospel • Luke 9:7-9
Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were say-ing, “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: “365 Days with the Lord 2025,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.

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