King Herod and me

Friday, Jan. 08, 2016

This week I had two thought-provoking encounters with Scripture.

The first occurred on the Feast of the Epiphany, when I realized to my dismay that I’ve got more than a little King Herod in me. 

The Gospel reading, as you may recall, was about the magi following the star, first to King Herod’s court in Jerusalem, and then to Bethlehem. During my reflection on this reading, I considered each of the figures mentioned, and realized that Herod stood in contrast to the others. The magi and Mary saw the wonder of the Christ child, the priests and scribes had only a scholar’s interest in the event, and the people were concerned about their king’s mood, but Herod was terrified of losing his power to this baby wrapped in swaddling clothing.

(Coincidently, Fr. Frez preached on a similar theme during his homily for the day, which contributed to my train of thought. Thanks, Fr. Joey!)

Much as I would like to identify with the magi, who gratefully brought their gifts to Jesus, I’m afraid I have to admit that too often I’m like Herod, ready to kill Christ to protect my own interests.  Jesus wants me to love my neighbor as myself – Sorry! I’d rather go to dinner and a movie, and not be bothered with those who can’t help me. 

Considering everyday decisions in that light, I realize just how many temptations arise each day to deal a blow to Jesus, and it’s disheartening to realize how often I do so. My prayer now is that the Holy Spirit will help me to say “yes” rather than “no” to Christ in these situations.

The other Scripture encounter was the reading about two of John the Baptist’s disciples spending the afternoon with Jesus and then one of them – Andrew – fetches his brother Simon to join them. Jesus looks at Simon and renames him Peter.

Now, Peter, according to all accounts, was a big, bumbling, not overly bright man who often got things wrong, stuck his foot in his mouth and denied Jesus three times, yet he was the rock on whom Christ built the Catholic Church, and in the end he proved worthy of the name.

Listening to the reading, I wondered what name Jesus would give me, and would I ever be worthy of it?

I mentioned this to Fr. Peter Hannah, who said the Book of Revelation references a white rock on which is written is a new, secret name. (Rev 2:17)

I wonder if there is any way of learning that name on this side of the veil.

In his homily, Fr. Peter mentioned that encounters with Jesus tend to change people – the two disciples who left John to follow Jesus first called him “Rabbi,” but after a few hours with him Andrew tells his brother that he has found the Messiah – a much more elevated title.  

I’m slightly discouraged because even though I’ve consciously been seeking Jesus this past year, my own transformation appears nowhere on the horizon, as Sunday’s “King Herod” episode attests. This may have something to do with the fact that I unfortunately resemble St. Augustine’s remark: “Lord, grant me chastity and continence, but not yet!” 

Yet I have hope, too, not only from St. Peter’s example but also that of St. Francis of Assisi, who said, “I have been all things unholy. If God can work through me he can work through anyone.” 

I may never know my true name until I hear it in heaven, but I pray to God that I will become worthy of it here on earth.