To Carry Out the Mission

Preparing the Fourth Sunday of Advent: One Day before Sunday (Year C)

Scripture

Psalm 80:1-7; Isaiah 66:7-11; Luke 13:31-35

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Prayer

O God of the exiles and the lost, you promise restoration and wholeness through the power of Jesus Christ. Give us faith to live joyfully, sustained by your promises as we eagerly await the day when they will be fulfilled for all the world to see, through the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen. (Revised Common Lectionary)

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Reflection

At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” 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. 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.’ 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! 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’” (Luke 13:31-35).

Jesus is in the territory of Herod Antipas, the same Herod who had John arrested and put to death. Jesus is warned by some Pharisees that Herod seeks to kill him. Is that truly the case or does Herod hope that Jesus gets the warning message and leaves the area? Perhaps Herod already unnerved by the way the John the Baptist scenario played out, just wants Jesus to leave the region, so that he does not have to deal with him.