Luke 13:31-35
31 At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” 32 He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. 33 Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’
34 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 35 See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’
Probe the Depth of Intentions and Respond Wisely
Today's Gospel teaches us how to face political and social problems with spiritual wisdom and courageous perseverance.
At the beginning of Jesus' ministry, the Pharisees were certainly pleased to see Jesus performing many miracles. They expect that He will use His almighty power to set Israel free from Roman occupation and restore the kingdom of Israel. But they turn against Him and want to get rid of Hiim when they realize that He is teaching about:
A spiritual Kingdom, " My kingdom is not from this world" John 18:36;
Equality between male and female in Matthew 27:55;
Nobody is excluded in Luke 17:11-19; and
All nations are equal in dignity and love in the eyes of God in Luke 7:1-10.
The Pharisees are not the only ones who are not pleased with Jesus' teaching. The king, the Sadducees, Scribes, Publicans, and Herodians also have issues. The Jews are caught between their own concept about the Messiah vs. His teaching and miraculous performance.
They will not confront Him yet for fear that His popularity will increase. Instead, they will resort to this trick where they pretend that they are watching over His safety. They walk a foxy way by using Herod's' fear of Jesus. Herod might intend to execute Him, whom he thought could be John the Baptist risen from the dead. Mark 6:14, "King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known. Some were saying, 'John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.'" Herod could be Jesus' biggest threat.
Was it really out of concern about Jesus' personal safety or was it a trick to scare and intimidate Him to achieve their aim? Aware of their malice and determined to fulfill His mission, He assures them by saying that:
He will never submit to blackmail or intimidation;
He is ready to face challenges of any kind without hesitation;
He is not afraid of physical death;
His mission is beyond compromise; and
He remains in absolute obedience to the Father out of consistant love.
His response to those who pretend to care for Him is direct and clear: "Go and tell that fox for me" (v. 32). Tell the fox (Herod Antipas), you speak about (or the fox who wove this trick) "Today, tomorrow and the next day, I will be on my way, casting out demons and performing cures" (v. 33).
Spend a few minutes of reflection on this event where Jesus teaches us how to use wisdom to detect hidden intentions, act thoughtfully towards them, and respond to them without insulting their creators if they are malicious or bad.
Spend a few minutes in prayer asking the Lord to help us adopt His way of discernment, evaluation and response to similar occasions.
Throughout this Lent, may we remain faithful to our positive assignments today, tomorrow and the day after.