Daily Gospel Reflection
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September 26, 2019
Herod the ruler heard about all that had taken place, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead, by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the ancient prophets had arisen.
Herod said, “John I beheaded; but who is this about whom I hear such things?” And he tried to see him.
King Herod is rarely seen as a sympathetic character in modern portrayals. This is understandable; perhaps the most famous story about him is the one alluded to in today’s Gospel: the beheading of John the Baptist. In sacrificing John to the demands of his wife’s daughter, Herod is seen as an impulsive, lustful, grotesque man who cares more for his image and bodily pleasures than human life. Yet, as with all people, there is another side to the story.
Though he is ultimately weak, Herod was intrigued by John the Baptist. Mark gives us this perspective when he writes, “When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him” (Mk 6:20). In this simple statement lies the key to understanding today’s Gospel. Even Herod, who in many ways personifies worldly power, is “bothered” by the message of truth. For many of us, this is the beginning of our faith journey. We begin to be bothered by the message of the Gospel, and seek to find more about what we hear and see.
We all begin like Herod; let us pray that we do not end like him. For, though Herod “tried to see him,” we know that Herod ultimately chose to continue on the path he had begun to follow with John the Baptist. He is bothered by Christ—but not enough to actually go find him, not enough to let Christ change him. His curiosity remains only perplexity because he is interested in Christ on his own terms.
We must go further than Herod does, allowing ourselves to be bothered enough by the Gospel message to let Christ change us. Only then will we move past the “bother” of his message to find the peace that only Christ can give.
Prayer
Almighty God, you are the source of our love and our faith. May your gifts help us strive to see your Son and follow him with courage. May our lives reflect the faith of the great women and men who have gone before us proclaiming the good news. May your strength be with us, that we may stand against whatever storms and terrors may come. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Saint of the Day
Cosmas and Damian are twin brothers known as the “moneyless ones” because they practiced medicine as a service to humanity, and did not ask for compensation.
They were born in third-century Arabia and were trained in science and medicine in Syria. As Christians, they believed that healing the body was a work of charity. Their example of goodness and their service to the sick brought many people to Christ.
They were known as good and faithful men, and it was impossible for them to hide when Christians faced persecution. They were arrested and beheaded for their faith around the year 283. Miracles of healing were attributed to them after their death, sometimes with the brothers appearing to people suffering from illness and curing them.
Along with St. Luke, these brothers are patrons of doctors and surgeons. They are also patrons of pharmacists, those who work in the chemical industry, people suffering from blindness, and against disease.
St. Damian is depicted in these stained glass windows from the Basilica, where he holds a bottle of medicine. Relics of both brothers rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica.
Sts. Cosmas and Damian, you were the twin brothers who brought people to Christ by caring for their health—pray for us!