9/26/14

Gospel LK 9:18-22

Once when Jesus was praying in solitude,
and the disciples were with him,
he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”
They said in reply, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah;
still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.’”
Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Peter said in reply, “The Christ of God.”
He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone.

He said, “The Son of Man must suffer greatly
and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed and on the third day be raised.”

Reflection

Today's Gospel reading comes on the heels of King Herod asking a similar question to his servants about Jesus that Jesus asks His disciples: "Who then is this about whom I hear such things?" (Luke 9: 9). Herod also mentions the belief that some people think of Jesus as John the Baptist resurrected or Elijah or a prophet. 

To this Herod responds, "John I beheaded." In other words, Herod is saying that he himself had John killed; it's not John. Hungry for power and desiring to ensure his total control of it, Herod seems frustrated and jealous about these stories of the sick being healed and unclean spirits being humbled. Herod would gladly accept such dominion, power and authority and is threatened by its presence within his borders.

Yesterday's reading ends, "And he (Herod) kept trying to see him (Jesus)." Whether out of curiosity, disbelief or even as part of a plot to kill Him, Herod 'tries' to see Jesus. 

Unlike Peter, though, and many who saw Jesus with their physical eyes, heard about Him or from Him with their actual ears and even had their hearts enlivened by His message / miracles / ministry, Herod desires to see Jesus but nothing else. He is fascinated, intrigued, angered, and...unmoved.

In the same way that we can hear something without listening, we can see without noticing. We can see images on our TV's, computers, phones and devices but not notice the violence, objectification, degradation and dehumanization happening 

on the screens. We can see poverty on our streets but not notice it enough to do anything to alleviate it. We can see pain and hurt in our loved ones, friends and neighbors but remain stuck in our compassion and forgiveness towards them. We can see the specks in the eyes of others but remain blind to the planks protruding from our own! We can see the abundant good in our lives but fail to notice them as blessings. We can see Jesus, but fail to notice Him as anything but a sideshow, magician or fascination. 

Let us, like Peter, have the heart to see Jesus as our Savior. 

Let us awaken to the signs and sounds and messages of Jesus all around us and let us be moved. 

Let us awaken to our sins and let us be transformed by repentance.

Let us awaken to God's call for our hearts and let us respond with humility.

Jesus is asking us, "Who do you say that I am?" 

He asks, "Can you see me?"

"Will you follow me?"

With open eyes, open hearts and conviction let us awaken to these questions and answer as Peter did,

"You are the Christ, the Son of God."

And let us be moved...to change, to forgive, to transform, to empower, to strengthen, to heal, to comfort, to bloom, to nurture, to inspire, to challenge, to live, to serve, to follow, to love.

Open up your eyes.

GO: Awaken.