Daily Catholic Lectio. Thu, 25 Sep ’25. Herod was Perplexed

Daily Catholic Lectio

Thu, 25 Sep ‘25

Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time, Thursday

Haggai 1:1–8; Luke 9:7–9

Herod was Perplexed

Today’s Gospel begins with a striking line: “Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was perplexed.”

The New Testament mentions five different Herods: (1) Herod the Great – who sought to kill the infant Jesus. (2) Herod Archelaus – who ruled Judea when the Holy Family returned from Egypt. (3) Herod Antipas – who executed John the Baptist. (4) Herod Philip – whose wife was taken by Antipas. and (5) Herod Agrippa – the grandson of Herod the Great, before whom St. Paul appeared.

The Gospel today speaks of Herod Antipas. He is the one who killed John the Baptist and later sought to see Jesus.

Herod Antipas was a man torn by indecision. He had authority but lacked clarity. He heard people saying different things about Jesus: some thought He was John raised from the dead, others said He was Elijah, still others thought He was one of the prophets of old. Herod himself wondered: “John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?” His longing to see Jesus was not born of faith but of curiosity—partly utilitarian (he wanted to protect his power) and partly utopian (a vague hope that meeting Jesus might serve his needs).

In the end, Herod did meet Jesus, but instead of welcoming Him as Savior, he mocked Him and sent Him back to Pilate. His indecisiveness cost him the chance to embrace the truth.

This reminds us of something important: clarity is essential in our lives. Without clarity, we drift in confusion, like Herod. In today’s world, we face too many choices—multiple opinions, endless information, and conflicting voices. Confusion can either lead us to repentance or harden us further. What we need is the clarity of God’s Word to guide our decisions in life, relationships, and work.

In the first reading, the prophet Haggai brings God’s message to the people of Israel: “Go up to the hill country, bring wood, and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified.” The people were busy building their own houses while the Temple lay in ruins. Through Haggai, God invites them to focus again on what matters most: rebuilding His house. He promises that the glory of the new Temple will surpass that of the former.

Just as God called Israel to rebuild His dwelling place, He calls us today to rebuild our own inner temple—the place where His Spirit dwells. That rebuilding begins when we allow clarity, not confusion, to guide our choices.

Herod teaches us the danger of indecisiveness. Haggai reminds us of the blessing of clarity. Let us not waste our longing for Jesus on curiosity or self-interest but seek Him with faith. For only then will our lives, like the new Temple, shine with greater glory than before.

Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi

Archdiocese of Madurai

Missionary of Mercy