The Perplexed Powerful Herod

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Twenty Fifth Week:  Thursday*

*Gospel :  Luke 9: 7-9*

*First Reading : Ecclesiastes 1:2-11*

*Responsorial Psalm : 90: 3-17*

*The Perplexed Powerful Herod*

*1) Power could not give Herod peace*

Herod had authority over Galilee. People had to listen to him. He had soldiers, a palace and political influence.

But when he heard about Jesus, he became perplexed.

This shows us something important: Power can control people, but it cannot always control the conscience.

A person may have:

money, but no peace;

position, but no security;

authority, but no inner freedom;

people around him, but still be afraid inside.

We often think, “If I become powerful, I will have no fear.” Herod teaches us that external power does not automatically produce internal peace.

*2) What really shook Herod? — The return of John*

Herod heard different opinions:

Some said, “John has been raised from the dead.”

Others said, “Elijah has appeared.”

Others said, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.”

But why did these possibilities trouble him so much?

Because John was already dead—and Herod knew his own connection with John's death.

John had confronted Herod about his immoral relationship with Herodias. Herod had imprisoned John and eventually had him executed.

Now Herod hears about Jesus and wonders:

“Who is this? Could John have returned?”

The past suddenly came alive in the present.

*3) Herod was not merely confused; he was disturbed*

There is a difference between curiosity and conscience.

Herod was curious about Jesus, but he was also disturbed by what Jesus represented.

Jesus' presence reminded him of John's voice.

The voice he had tried to silence had not really disappeared.

This is a powerful spiritual truth:

You can silence a person, but you cannot always silence the truth.

You can close someone's mouth, but the truth may continue speaking through your conscience.

*4) The dead John was still speaking*

This is perhaps the strongest point.

John was physically dead. But his message was alive.

Herod may have thought: “I got rid of John.”

But suddenly the ministry of Jesus brought John's message back before him.

There are truths we try to bury: 

an apology we know we should make;

a sin we refuse to correct;

a relationship we have damaged;

an injustice we have committed;

a responsibility we have avoided;

a voice that once challenged us.

We may push these things away, but sometimes one event brings everything back.

The conscience has a long memory.

*5) Herod was powerful outside but powerless inside*

This is the great irony of the passage.

Herod could imprison John, but he could not imprison his own conscience.

He could command soldiers, but he could not command his thoughts.

He could sit on a throne, but he could not escape the question: “Who is Jesus?”

That is why Luke's picture is so striking.

The king is perplexed.

The preacher is dead.

Jesus is alive and at work.

The apparent power belongs to Herod, but the real spiritual power is with Jesus.

*6) Herod had questions, but he did not surrender*

Luke 9:9 says: “But Herod said, ‘John I beheaded; but who is this about whom I hear such things?’ And he sought to see him.”

Notice something interesting.

Herod wanted to see Jesus, but wanting to see Jesus is not the same as wanting to follow Jesus.

Later, in Luke 23:8, Herod is delighted to see Jesus because he hopes Jesus will perform some sign.

So Herod's curiosity does not automatically become conversion.

A person can be fascinated by Jesus without surrendering to Jesus.

This is very relevant today.

We can: listen to homilies, watch religious videos, read the Bible, attend religious programmes, discuss Jesus, and still refuse to change our lives.

Curiosity about Jesus is not yet discipleship.

*7) Why was Herod especially perplexed?*

We can see at least five things that shook him:

*His past* : John's death was connected with his own actions.

*The power of Jesus* : Jesus was doing things that Herod could not explain.

*The people's response* : People were talking about Jesus everywhere.

*The question of identity* : “Who is this?”

*The possibility that truth cannot be killed* : John's voice seemed to have returned through the ministry surrounding Jesus.

*8) Application to Our Life*

*A) What is making me perplexed?* 

Sometimes our anxiety is not caused only by circumstances.

Sometimes something inside us is unsettled.

When we become unusually disturbed by a particular person, word, Gospel passage or situation, we can ask:

“What is this revealing about me?”

*B) Don't silence the voice that challenges you* 

Some people avoid anyone who corrects them.

They want only people who say: “You are right.”

But John was valuable precisely because he told Herod what Herod did not want to hear.

A person who corrects us honestly may be more valuable than a person who constantly praises us.

*C) The past can become a teacher—or a prison* 

Herod's past haunted him.

Our past can also do one of two things: 

Repentance can turn the past into a lesson.

Refusal to repent can turn the past into a prison.

The Christian response is not to run away from the past, but to bring it honestly before God.

*D) Power does not remove vulnerability* 

Sometimes we admire powerful people and imagine that they have no problems.

Luke shows us otherwise.

The powerful can be perplexed.

The rich can be anxious.

The successful can be empty.

The respected can be afraid.

Therefore, our security cannot ultimately come from position, money or influence.

*E) Jesus can disturb us for a good reason*

Sometimes we say: “This Gospel is disturbing me.”

Perhaps that is precisely what it is supposed to do.

The Gospel does not always come to make us comfortable.

Sometimes it comes to ask: “What must change in your life?”

A disturbed conscience can become the beginning of conversion—if we listen.

“Herod could silence John’s voice, but he could not silence John’s message.”

“Lord Jesus, when Your Word disturbs me, do not let me run away. Give me the courage to listen, repent, change and follow You.”

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*