Reflection
It is easy to race over the first line of today’s Gospel.
Some Pharisees came to Jesus and said, “Go away, leave this area because Herod wants to kill you.”
Focusing on this opening, I thought differently about it than I had in the past. I wondered if some of the Pharisees truly wanted to warn and protect Jesus?
HE was sought out by them.
I’d always had a bad feeling toward ‘Pharisees’ in the bible because of how they were portrayed. In Luke’s gospel, I thought about the words used, saying, ‘Some came.’
Was this smaller group of Pharisees beginning to accept some of his messages and understanding of His teachings? Did some of the Pharisees come openly out of care to warn Jesus? Who was I to judge?
Referring to Herod, Jesus says, “Go and tell that fox” ………, and then tells everyone what His plan is. I wondered why Jesus would refer to Herod as a fox. Why choose a creature that, throughout time, has never gotten many kind words referring to its species and nature?
So, as cunning and sneaky as Herod might be, Jesus boldly and openly states He must continue to accomplish His purpose. He plans to continue along His journey to Jerusalem.
In the last part of this reading, Jesus shares some of God’s disappointments and frustrations with mankind. Look at what had transpired throughout time. Yet God, through Jesus, promises something fulfilling after He accomplishes His purpose.
Our houses no longer need to be abandoned. Welcoming others in the name of the Lord and embracing the Christ in each of us begins filling our houses with the Spirit of His Loving presence.
Hold onto wholesome practices and continue your mission. Avoid times where we might judge unnecessarily or be more like foxes than hens.
