Homily for September 26, 2019

King Herod Antipas ruled the province of Galilee on behalf of Rome. Saint Luke portrayed his attitude toward Jesus as rather trivial. When he heard about Jesus’ activities and about the great interest that people had in Him, Herod became perplexed and made attempts to see Him. They finally met during the course of Jesus’ Passion, when Pilate sent Jesus to Herod for his opinion about His guilt. Herod questioned Jesus at length but, in the end, treated Him with contempt. Herod did have a curiosity about Jesus, but it was not was serious nor did it lead to faith.

There were others who showed interest in Jesus and their curiosity did lead them to faith. But, even for people of faith, there is much to wonder about in the life of Jesus. The question asked by Herod Antipas, “Who then is this?” is one for us all to consider. We must always be searchers in regard to Jesus, since we can never know Him fully. As Saint Paul said, “At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face.” We seek to know Him more clearly, love Him more dearly, and follow Him more nearly. +