Oct. 27...Sly fox Herod

482.doc

Scripture: Lectionary 482: Romans 8:31-39 Psalm 109:21.22.26-27.30-31. Luke 13:31-35:

Jesus is not afraid of crowds, nor despots like Herod Antipas, nor the religious leaders who are constantly harassing him about his teachings and actions. The last year of Jesus’ life brings all of these adversaries to today’s warning from the Pharisees that Jesus should get on his way and get out of the territory of Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great. The latter attempted to slaughter Jesus among the other babies two years and under and now his son Antipas is threatening to kill Jesus. Jesus knows well that his days are numbered and it will not be Antipas who will put him to death but another adversary, the Roman procurator Pontius Pilate who is just as much a despot as the Herods. Jesus calls Antipas a fox and Jesus is careful not to fall into his traps of curiosity and vane interest in the Lord. After all, if he has killed John the Baptist, he would not hesitate to kill Jesus.

If we carefully read the excerpt from Romans, we will discover why Jesus is not afraid of all of his enemies and adversaries. “If God is for us who can be against us?” (Romans 8: 31) Jesus, however, does listen to the advice of the Pharisees for he is determined to go up to Jerusalem and fulfill the plan of God that he has carefully followed from his childhood. He is teaching the same thing to the faithful followers in this long journey narrative that Luke guides us through. We go spiritually up to Jerusalem with Jesus. Jesus has raised the level of the conversation about his impending death to the mystery of God’s plan of salvation. “For God so love the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him may not die but have eternal life.” (John 3:16). The paradox of the Cross thus is seen not only in Jesus’ life but in those who believe in him Jesus will go on preaching, teaching, and casting out demons but he will go up to Jerusalem for the last days of his life very soon.

Jesus laments over Jerusalem and those who will not only threaten him but actually put him to death there through the cruel method of crucifixion used by the Romans. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you slay the prophets and stone those who are sent to you. How often have I wanted to gather your children as a mother bird collects her young under her wings, and you refused me.”

Jesus has foretold his death many times to his disciples. We enter that mystery each day through the readings and the Eucharist. His Passion, Death, and Resurrection are the reason why we too should never be afraid. “If God is with us, who can be against us?” Amen.