Word to the Wise
Thursday, September 22, 2011 - Thursday in the 25th Week in Ordinary Time
[Hag 1:1-8 and Luke 9:7-9,1076]Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying, "John has been raised from the dead; others were saying, "Elijah has appeared; still others, "One of the ancient prophets has arisen." But Herod said, "John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?" And he kept trying to see him. [Luke]
In an age in which communication can be global in a matter of seconds, Herod's problem can seem strange. But in his day, communication was by word of mouth. The majority of people could not read! If Herod were to KNOW about Jesus, he would have to HEAR about Jesus unless Jesus was standing in front of him. He could be certain that John the Baptist was not Jesus because he [Herod] had ordered John's head brought on a platter for his wife!
What I find somewhat ironic is that in an age in which communication can be global in a few seconds that Jesus is still unknown. Why is the power of his message still unknown or is not being preached in an effective way to the almost overpowering secularism and relativism that masquerades as scientific and cultural enlightenment? There are plenty of "preaching" websites [including my own!] that make an effort but so often these can be drowned out by the enormous resources of material economic and political concerns.
Herod was hearing about Jesus' preaching and healing. It seems to me that the best way of getting the message out is still person to person communication and especially by a Christian life lived in integrity. If the message remains on the website or if the person who comes to belief keeps the message inside, there will continue to be millions of "Herods" who hear a few things here and there but never come to a personal knowledge of Jesus. We have to realize that life outside the cell phone and computer keyboard is where the message lives. This is called "incarnation" and THE INCARNATION is the message! AMEN