God was knocking on the doors of Herod's heart.

 
Reading: But Herod said, “I beheaded John. Who, then, is this I hear such things about?” And he tried to see him. Luke 9:9.
 
Good morning, happy Thursday, and many blessings my dear family.
 
The primary character in today’s Gospel (Luke 9:7-9) is Herod the Tetrarch.  Herod had heard stories about Jesus’ preaching throughout Judea. He also had heard of how Jesus healed people with a touch or a word.  Herod was perplexed and he did not know what to make of this man, Jesus.  Many people claimed that Jesus was “John the Baptist raised from the dead.  Others said: “Elijah has appeared;” and others stated that “one of the prophets old has risen.”
 
The Gospel today brings to light a very important point: to simply know about somebody is very different from actually knowing them personally. Through the gift of grace, we can know Jesus, and our prayer is our communication with a friend, not with an acquaintance. If you are blessed in having some close friends, you then understand the difference. Recall then the words of Jesus, “I do not call you servants any longer…I have called you friends” (John 15:15). You are never alone when you return his offer of friendship.
 
Herod, like all the rest of us, had a conscience. It was obviously troubling him. He knew he had done wrong in authorizing the beheading of John the Baptist, such an eminently good man. Now the One whom John had publicly foretold was doing much more extraordinary things. For this reason, Herod “tried to see him”. Are we trying to see the risen Jesus at work in our lives in preparation for life with him forever?
 
Herod’s curiosity is aroused by the stories circulating around Jesus. God is knocking at his door. This is his moment of grace. The moment passes and does not return until Jesus is brought before him for trial. Again, God knocks on his door and grants his wish. He indeed sees Jesus, and Saint Luke says that he was very glad of this. But he rejects the grace offered him because his wish is too small. He wants Jesus to perform some amusing sign, no more. But Jesus says and does nothing, so Herod has his troops mock him and then sends him back to Pilate. His door is closed.
 
Herod appears as the politician with an eye to publicity, who does not want to miss out on contact with somebody who is making news. Jesus was talked about, so Herod had to see him. See him, with the eye of a curious spectator, but not involve himself.
 
While we do not live in the same time period as Herod and Jesus, we can turn to the New Testament to get a glimpse into Jesus’ life. What fascinates you about Jesus?  If you could sit down with Jesus in person, what would you ask him?  For healing?  For a listening ear?   Today, take some time to talk to Jesus.  Ask him anything you would like.  Jesus will listen and answer.
 
Blessings,
 
Fr. Luis+