Seeking Jesus - Weekday Homily Video (original) (raw)
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There are only three verses in the reading from Luke’s Gospel, and they describe rumors or gossip about Jesus that made King Herod curious. I think the last sentence has an important message: “And he (Herod) kept trying to see Him (Jesus).”
Herod’s desire to see Jesus might remind us of another figure from the Gospels—Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector of Jericho. Zacchaeus, too, wanted to see Jesus, but for a very different reason. He wasn’t just curious; he was searching for something deeper. He had heard that Jesus was a friend of tax collectors and sinners (Luke 7:34). When Zacchaeus finally encountered Jesus, his life changed.
Herod, on the other hand, also wanted to see Jesus, but he was not seeking truth or conversion. He merely wanted to satisfy his own curiosity. Yet, even in his limited desire, we can find a point of reflection. Herod’s curiosity—though misguided—reflects a deeper human longing to know Jesus. Unfortunately, when he finally met Jesus, he did not go beyond his initial curiosity. He did not open his heart to the possibility that this man could be the long-awaited Messiah.
Determined to Find and Follow
Reflecting on this, I was reminded of my experience in New York last week. On September 20th, the day the new iPhone 16 reached the stores, I saw hundreds of people lined up outside Apple’s iconic Fifth Avenue store in the heat, willing to endure discomfort just to be one among the first to own the latest device. Their dedication was striking, an outward sign of the strength of their desire to possess something new and valuable. But it made me think—how strong is our desire to seek Jesus? Do we have the same determination to find and follow Him as those people had to acquire the newest technology?
Ronald Wayne joined Apple's co-founders, 21-year-old Steve Wozniak and 25-year-old Steve Jobs, to provide "adult supervision" for the company. In exchange for a 10 percent stake in the company, he was responsible for mechanical engineering and documentation. Both Jobs and Wozniak were young and broke, but Wayne owned assets, including a house, and feared that the financial burden would fall solely on him if the deal failed. Wayne sold his shares back to his co-founders for only $800 after spending only 12 days with Wozniak and Jobs.
Committing to Jesus
Ronald Wayne lost a lot of money as a result of his decision to leave the start-up. The value of a 10 percent stake in Apple today is more than $80 billion. His story is a reminder of what we lose when we turn away from an opportunity. In the same way, not seeking Jesus, not truly committing to Him, is the greatest loss we can experience. As Saint Paul so beautifully said, “I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8). The riches of this world pale in comparison to the treasure we find in Christ.
Herod represents many of us today—curious about Jesus but unwilling to truly take the next step to follow Him. So, I invite you to reflect on two things today:
- First, examine your desire to know more. When you feel a stirring of curiosity or interest in your faith, don’t stop there. Let it lead you closer to Jesus, to the heart of the Gospel.
- Second, be aware of the “holy curiosity” in those around you. Perhaps a family member, a friend, or a colleague has shown interest in your faith or the Church. When you notice this, pray for them. Ask God to use you; in this way, we can move beyond mere curiosity and toward a true encounter with the One who brings life, transformation, and the ultimate good news of salvation.
- Today’s Readings
- Father Boby's inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center this morning. You can view the Mass (and Rosary) on the Family Rosary YouTube page.
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About Father Boby John, C.S.C.
Father Boby John, C.S.C., ordained a priest in the Congregation of Holy Cross in 2008, worked as a pastor and as an educator with tribal populations in Northeast India for thirteen years. Originally from Kerala, India, Father Boby grew up with three siblings. He is a dedicated and detailed educationist with experience in educational leadership. He is currently working as an executive assistant at the world headquarters of Holy Cross Family Ministries, North Easton, Massachusetts.