More than just seeing

Readings for Thursday September 24, 2009

First Reading: Haggai 1:1-8
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 149
Gospel: Luke 9:7-9


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 9:7-9)

In today's gospel, we see Herod is very curious about Jesus. He is perplexed by the stories and reports that he hears, and he begins wondering who this Jesus is. I believe that many people are curious about who Jesus is and what it is that He offers. Many people even try as Herod did to "see Jesus" and His great works in their lives. Sadly most people only believe by seeing, and they are typically blinded to Him in their lives.

While it is certainly good for all of us to look for Christ in our life, we must go on to do more than that. We must go even further and believe in Him, whether we see Him or not.

Father above, we thank you and praise you for the gift of this day. Lord, you are so good to us, and we praise you for all that we are and all that we have. Jesus, help increase our faith so that we might follow you more closely and fall deeper in love with you. Lord, whether we see you or not, we know that you are working strongly in our life, and we pray that we might always give you the glory. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.