Different people kept trying to see Jesus for different purposes. What about me?

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 25th Week - Thursday*

*GOSPEL - Lk 9:7-9*

*First Reading -  Hg 1:1-8*

*Different people kept trying to see Jesus for different purposes. What about me?*

*1) Herod kept trying to see Jesus - Why?*

The last sentence of today's Gospel says, *And he kept trying to see him*

To understand this sentence we need to see the incidents which happened during that time 

First of Herod was perplexed or disturbed because many people spoke many things about Jesus. So he was in the state of confusion 

Secondly some people were saying that He was John the Baptist. But the problem here is, Herod only had beheaded John. So how could he be alive. If the person is truely John the Baptist then He must have risen again. To accept such a fact would be terrible, because ordinary person can't rise again, but only a divine person can rise. So Herod was disturbed 

Thirdly, since Herod was confused he wanted to clarify the his doubt at the same time he wanted to know who Jesus is. So that he can control Jesus' activities, which was necessary for Herod to strengthen his position and to ecxecise his power 

So finally Herod wanted to see Jesus not for good things but for selfish purpose 

*2) Zacchaeus and Jesus*

Zacchaeus also wanted to see Jesus. 

He wanted to see Jesus not to find out who Jesus is, what is power, whether he will be a threat for his business. Nothing of that sort 

Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus to have a divine experience. 

He wanted to see Jesus so that he could change his life 

He wanted to see Jesus in order to acknowledge his own Sinfulness

*3) Sinful woman at Simons house and Jesus*

When Jesus was at the house of Simon the Pharisee for a dinner a sinful woman came, to see Jesus 

She came to see Jesus inorder to confess her sins and to get a relief from her sinful life 

She came in search of Jesus for Gods mercy and to change her life 

She came in search of Jesus to accept publicly that she is a great sinner and she needs God's mercy

*4) The Rich Young Man and Jesus*

He came in search of Jesus to find out which is the greatest commandment

He came in search of Jesus to find out how to attain eternal life   

He came in search of Jesus to know the best way to salvation

*5) Many sick people, lepers and Jesus* 

They came in search of Jesus to get relief from their sickness 

They came in search of Jesus to get a favour from the Lord

They came in search of Jesus to experience His divine curing power 

*6) Judas and Jesus*

Judas aslo came in search of Jesus to the garden of Gethsemane, to betray Him 

He came in search of Jesus to show who Jesus is to the Roman soldiers

He came in search of Jesus to hand Him over and to get the money from the officials 

*7) Do I  keep trying to see Jesus - Why?*

First of all do I have that desire to find out who Jesus is for me? One of thr Greatest questions of our life. 

If I am searching Jesus  for what? Is it for my personal gain? To achieve my selfish motives? To have divine experience and to deepen my spiritual life? To spread the Kingdom ofGod? To attain eternal life? 

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*