26TH THURSDAY HOMILY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B
26TH THURSDAY HOMILY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B
HOMILY THEME: Take care to guard against all greed
BY: Fr. Mike Lagrimas
Num. 11: 25-29, Ps. 19, James 5: 1-6, Mark 9: 38-43, 45. 47-48
Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying, “John has been raised from the dead”; others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”; still others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.” But Herod said, “John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?” And he kept trying to see him.
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King Herod Antipas kept trying to see Jesus. Is it out of mere curiosity? Or something else is bothering him? Obviously he is troubled when he heard about Jesus.
Of course, he is curious to see Jesus as everybody else who heard about Him and His many wondrous deeds. But given his stature and power as king, why would he even bother about a poor Rabbi from a remote town of his kingdom? What does he need from Him?
Herod has everything this world offers: money, power, prestige. But he is not content with what he has. He wants more. He wants total and complete control of everything. We may recall that he even took the wife of his brother as his wife. And John the Baptist was beheaded on account of this immoral behavior of the king.
In other words, he is curious to see Jesus because he feels threatened, especially that many people are saying Jesus is John the Baptist risen from the dead. But more so, he wants to see Him because he wants to make sure he is in control of everything all the time. And in case he finds out that Jesus is a real threat, he can promptly do something to stop Him. He did this to John the Baptist. He can do it again.
In short, Herod is a truly selfish, greedy, ambitious and hedonistic man. Such qualities reveal a very insecure and weak person. He has no control over his carnal desires, thirst for power and his unbridled avarice. Despite having everything, he feels empty, sad and alone.
Pope Francis said, ʺWhen people become self-centered and self-enclosed, their greed increases. The emptier a personʹs heart is, the more he or she needs things to buy, own and consumeʺ (Encyclical Letter ‘Laudato Si’).
The Gospel today, although very short, gives us a powerful message: do not be like Herod. That is the warning of Jesus: “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions” (Lk 12:14). Looking for happiness in created things apart from God is sure to end up in failure and misery. It is like scratching itchy skin; it may bring instant relief, but the itchiness goes back again in no time and even worsens.
The best and only way to true and lasting happiness is God: “Seek first the kingdom [of God] and His righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides” (Mt 6:33). This is a very fundamental truth but is oftentimes ignored by most people due to materialism and consumerism. Time and again, the Lord reminds us in His teachings that man cannot keep on running away from God. As His creatures, we are drawn towards Him like iron to a magnet, and nothing on earth can stop that attraction.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches: “The desire for God is written in the human heart, because man is created by God and for God; and God never ceases to draw man to himself. Only in God will he find the truth and happiness he never stops searching for” (CCC, 27). And St. Augustine concludes: ʺYou made us, Lord, for Yourself and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.”
By all means, let us keep on trying to see Jesus, not merely out of curiosity or because we need something from Him. Rather, this should be motivated by our burning desire to be close to Him because we love Him. As a lover always longs to see the beloved, so also should we always seek to be with Jesus. In every Eucharistic celebration, Jesus is here with us. In fact, He does not mind being hidden behind the form of bread and wine just to make Himself available to us.
Let me close with this beautiful advice from St. John Vianney: “My children, go to Jesus with love and confidence. Go, to live by Him in order to live for Him. Do not say that you have too much to do.… You work each day. Then, receive Holy Communion each day. Do not say that you are not worthy. What nonsense! It is true you are not worthy, but you are in need. If our Savior had had our worthiness in view, He would never have instituted His beautiful Sacrament of love, because no one in the world, not even the Saints nor the Angels, nor the Archangels, not even the Blessed Virgin, are worthy of it. Since He wishes to abase Himself to our misery, let us work then to merit to receive Him every day.”
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