Reading
Luke 9:7-9
7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was going on. And he was perplexed because some were saying that John had been raised from the dead, 8 others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that one of the prophets of long ago had come back to life. 9 But Herod said, “I beheaded John. Who, then, is this I hear such things about?” And he tried to see him.
Comment
The fame of Jesus has spread from his earthly days to today to every corner of the earth, but how many can really recognize him for what he is? Herod's interest in Jesus narrated by the evangelist Luke prepares what the tetrarch will show during the passion. He, who killed John the Baptist, will later try to kill Jesus too (Lk 31:33), and when he is sent to him by Pilate to be judged, Herod will rejoice because "he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform a sign of some sort" (Lk 23:8).
Faced with the silence of Jesus, who does not comply with this request, Herod will react by making him insult and mocked by his soldiers and sending him back to Pilate. Herod is confused about the identity of Jesus because his curiosity keeps him at a superficial level of understanding; he tries to see it, but only to satisfy the desire to witness some prodigy.
Herod does not care about the search for truth, goodness, and justice of God. For this reason, the incarnate truth withdraws from him, not revealing his own nature and his own power. The relationship between Jesus and Herod attests to the fact that what we find in Jesus depends on what we are looking for.
Thus Nicodemus finds in him the truth he sought in the Scriptures; the scribes and Pharisees who are hostile to him believe they are facing an impostor and a blasphemer; Pilate sees in him an innocent man but is unable to go further; while the centurion who witnesses his death exclaims «Surely he was the Son of God!» (Mt 27:54).
The idea we have of Jesus is fundamental in the relationship we establish with him, for this reason, he asks the Twelve: «Who do you say I am?»; «God’s Messiah» (Lk 9:20), replies Peter, speaking in the name of the disciples, and of all those whose eyes are opened to understanding through faith.
Prayer
The knowledge of you, o Lord, may satisfy our desire for truth and justice, so that we become your disciples in the world, bearing witness to the incarnate Son of God. Amen.
- Rev. Dr. Luca Vona
