Jesus at arm's length - Tomorrow's reading reflection

Sometimes, confusion and curiosity are moments of great importance for us. In this case, Herod becomes both curious and threatened. Sometimes, that's what happens to us. We hear about Jesus, and we hear about various things he says and does, and we are very curious. At times, we are also confused and threatened. The closer Jesus comes to us, to our hearts, the more likely it will be that we will be vulnerable to putting up some defenses. The questions come up, "What will this cost me? What will I have to change?" Sometimes it is easy to deflect the whole encounter with a simple defense, like, "Oh, I'm doing a lot already. I pray every day. I ..."

Sometimes, we have this paradoxical attraction to Jesus and, at the same time, an arms length relationship with him.  This brief encounter with Herod's curiosity with Jesus can be a powerful invitation to us all to open our hearts to a deeper relationship with Jesus, right where we are, right in the midst of discovering our defenses, our fears, and our distrust.

(Adapted from Andy Alexander, S.J.)

ABC's 'Mistresses' accused of glamorizing adultery - Tomorrow's reading reflection

“The head of John the Baptist.”

In something that reads like the “Mistresses,” we are presented with a convoluted set of facts about two principal characters.  

Herod Antipas was the son of Herod the Great, who apparently had at least 4 wives.  Antipas was married to Phasaelis, whom he divorced to marry Herodias. Herodias was the granddaughter of Herod the Great, and the wife of Antipas’ half brother, Herod II (who was thus her brother-in-law and also her half-uncle). Herodias and Herod II had a daughter, Salome, making her Herod Antipas’ half niece (and his stepdaughter once he married Herodias).  

Herodias decided to divorce Herod II to marry Antipas, who was then tetrarch of Galilee.  John the Baptist chastised Antipas for his divorce and subsequent marriage to his former sister-in-law. Reading between the lines, John has apparently irritated everyone by his condemnation of the marriage, but most especially Herodias.  Antipas seems to be easily manipulated by Herodias, and Mark stated that he both feared John and was perplexed by his teachings.  Antipas also seems to have been aroused by Salome’s dance and thus had even more moral ambiguity going on in his head.

Sexuality, seems to be one of the most terribly powerful motivations of human behavior that ever was, is and will be.  As the Bible and real life show us over and over again, disordered sexuality has brought down kings, governors and ordinary disciples of God.  Yet it is with compassion that we treat ourselves and others who may be weak in faith and sexual morality.  Remember that John acted as prophet but so does Paul when he speaks to the Thessalonians in today's reading.  Seeing their weakness, he first affirms their strengths.  "What thanksgiving, then, can we render to God for you, for all the joy we feel on your account before our God? Night and day we pray beyond measure to see you in person and to remedy the deficiencies of your faith."  

Not a bad example.

(Adapted from Tom Purcell)