“See Him” by Beth DeCristofaro
Now thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider
your ways! You have sown much, but have brought in little; you have eaten, but
have not been satisfied; You have drunk, but have not been exhilarated; have
clothed yourselves, but not been warmed; And whoever earned wages earned them
for a bag with holes in it. (Haggai 1:5-6)
But Herod said, “John I beheaded. Who then is
this about whom I hear such things?” And he kept trying to see him. (Luke 9:9)
Piety
Holy Spirit, guide me to see God in my every
day. Guide me to see Jesus in my neighbor. Guide me to accept your direction in
all I do. In gratitude, I pray.
Study
Even when we “keep trying to see” sometimes
we are confounded. Herod was fascinated first with John the Baptist whose
message was a direct challenge not only to Herod as a man but Herod as a
leader. Now Herod is perplexed and fascinated with Jesus. Their appeal did not
stop him from murder and collaboration in murder. Their request did not quicken
the heart response required to “hear” the Word.
The notes of the NAB
give an interesting context to this passage in Luke’s Gospel: “ [9:7–56] The section in which Luke gathers together incidents that focus on the identity of
Jesus is introduced by a question that Herod is made to ask in this gospel:
“Who then is this about whom I hear such things?”(Lk 9:9) In subsequent
episodes, Luke reveals to the reader various answers to Herod’s question: Jesus
is one in whom God’s power is present and who provides for the needs of God’s
people (Lk 9:10–17); Peter declares Jesus to be “the Messiah of God” (Lk
9:18–21); Jesus says he is the suffering Son of Man (Lk 9:22, 43–45); Jesus is
the Master to be followed, even to death (Lk 9:23–27); Jesus is God’s son, his
Chosen One (Lk 9:28–36).”[i]
People who met Jesus
in Luke’s Gospel kept trying to
see him too. Many of the people most likely went home without the Good
News stirring their hearts. But we know that Jesus awakened many. Of the many
examples that Herod did not – could not – hear in these passages is in Luke
9:23 Then he said to all, “If
anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross
daily* and
follow me. Herod does not deny self and would not imagine accepting a
cross. Herod dispenses death instead of choosing life in spite of having the
message of eternal life delivered personally by two separate holy men.
Action
In the book of Haggai, the
chosen people are too preoccupied to make a place for God within their midst.
Our ability to know God’s presence and accept the Good News is a grace from
God. Am I “trying to see” my preoccupations rather than allowing God’s
invitation to see and follow him every day even unto death?
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