Daily Gospel Reflections for Sep 24, 2026

SPEAKER_1 (0:26)

Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God. September 24th, 2026, Thursday of the 25th week in Ordinary Time. A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke.

SPEAKER_2 (0:55)

Now Herod the Tetrarch heard of all that was done by him, and he was very perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead, and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen again. Herod said, I beheaded John, but who is this about whom I hear such things?

He sought to see him.

SPEAKER_1 (1:25)

The Gospel of the Lord.

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.

Herod had heard the stories. Something extraordinary was happening, and reports about Jesus was spreading. People were trying to explain who he was. Some thought John the Baptist had returned from the dead. Others believed Elijah had appeared. Herod did not know what to make of it. Yet, one detail in the Gospel stands out. He kept trying to see him.

At first, that sounds promising. Someone wants to see Jesus. But Herod's interest was very different from the desire of people who came to Jesus seeking healing, forgiveness, or a new beginning. Herod was intrigued. He wanted answers. He had heard enough about Jesus to become curious. But there is no sign here that he wanted to become a disciple.

His mention of John reveals something deeper. John Ibehaded. Herod knew exactly what had happened to John because he had been responsible for his death. John had spoken the truth to him, and instead of allowing that truth to change his life, Herod eventually silenced the man who spoke it. Now, another powerful voice had appeared, and Herod was wondering who this Jesus could be. There is an important difference between wanting to know about Jesus and wanting to follow him. We can read scripture, attend mass, listen to homilies, watch faith-related videos, and still keep Jesus at a comfortable distance. We may find his words meaningful until they touch something we would rather not change. We may appreciate his teaching about love, but struggle when he asks us to forgive someone.

We may believe in trusting God, but become unwilling when trust means giving up control. We may ask God to guide us, while hoping his answer matches the decision we have already made. Herod's curiosity never reached the point of surrender. Later in Luke's Gospel, he finally gets his opportunity to see Jesus during his Passion. By then, Herod wants Jesus to perform a sign for him. Jesus stands before him, but Herod still does not truly see who he is.

The man who had been trying to see Jesus eventually had him standing right in front of him. Yet, his heart remained unchanged.

That is worth thinking about because being near the things of God is not the same as being open to God. We can spend years attending church, hearing scripture and praying without allowing God into the parts of our lives where we resist him most. Sometimes, the real obstacle is not lack of knowledge. We already know what Jesus asks of us. We know we should forgive. We know when pride is getting in the way. We know when a habit is pulling us away from God. We know when we have avoided making something right.

The harder question is whether we are willing to act on what we already know.

Herod asked, Who then is this about whom I hear such things? It is a question every Christian eventually has to answer, not only through words, but through the way we live. If Jesus is merely an interesting religious figure, we can admire him from a distance. If he is truly Lord, then his words have a claim on our choices, relationships, priorities, and the way we treat other people. Jesus does not ask us simply to be interested in him. He invites us to follow him. That means allowing his words to challenge us, including the ones we would rather avoid. Curiosity can bring us to the door, but faith asks us to walk through it. Are we only interested in hearing about Jesus, or are we allowing him to change the way we live? Is there something he has already placed before us that we know we need to face, but have continued to avoid? Lord Jesus, help us to seek you with more than curiosity. Give us hearts willing to listen when your words challenge us, and courage to act on what you show us. Keep us from following you only when it is comfortable. Draw us closer to you, and let our lives show that we truly believe in who you are. Amen.