Daily Mass Gospel Reflection

Friends, in today’s Gospel, we see Herod interested in and perplexed by Jesus.
Political rulers don’t come across well in the New Testament.
In Luke’s Christmas account, Caesar Augustus is compared very unfavorably to the Christ child.
And in Matthew’s account that child is hunted down by the desperate Herod.
Later, Herod’s son persecutes John the Baptist and Jesus himself. More to it,
the Jewish authorities are seen in all of the Gospels as corrupt.

And Pontius Pilate is a typical Roman governor:
efficient, concerned for order, brutal.
Like the other rulers of the time, he perceives Jesus, quite correctly, as a threat.
“So you are a king?” Pilate asks.
Jesus says, “My kingdom does not belong to this world.”

This does not mean that Jesus is unconcerned for the realities of politics,
with the very “this-worldly” concerns of justice, peace, and right order.
When he speaks of his kingdom not belonging to the “world,”
he shades the negative side of that term.
The “world” is the realm of sin, selfishness, hatred, violence.
What he is saying is that his way of ordering things is not typical of worldly powers like Pilate, Caesar, and Herod.

+++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.+++

Still pimping Boobies main website with all its commercial advertisements, rather than correctly linking to the posted "reflection". That's pimping.

Here's the correct link and title:

Gospel Reflection
Thursday, September 22, 2022

You’re not posting the direct link. Who’s interested in buying his Word on Fire Bibles Volumes available for only $50 to $5,000?

How much does Barron pay you to pimp his website with your deceptive links?

I've told you I have not been authorized or licensed to promote the Hallow Link.

I have for the WOF link.
If you are too lazy to move your eyes to the center of the page-
that's on you.
Here's some cheery BB news that will make you smile...!

floyd Rxxxxx
1 month ago
"I came home to the Holy See, Mother Church, the Catholic Church
at 58 years old.
I lost friends and some family,
But I discover a pearl of Great price and had to give up all to have it."

Kathy Bxxxxx
1 month ago
"I have been following Fr Mike in bible in a year and listening
to your wonderful explanations of the Gospels. My understanding of the Bible has increased and I so appreciate all your weekly messages.
Word on Fire is such an appropriate name for your work of evangelization.
My life has changed since listening to you.
Many blessings Bishop Barron!"

Paweena Nxxxx
1 month ago
"Thank you Bishop for this powerful message.
I was crying while listening to it because you are actually talking about
what has been going on in my family.
Now I see why my family and I had to be disrupted.
Thank you so much for giving me a clear understanding
of what I recently went through. Thank you. Thank you."

Steve Cxxxx
1 month ago
"I don't know how many times I have made this same comment,
but this may be your best sermon I have ever had the privilege to hear.
You speak truth. Opposition, always. We need you.
May the Lord continue to richly bless you and keep you safe."

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