Our gospel account for today raises a question about who stands at the center of our lives. “King Herod heard of it,” we read, “for Jesus' name had become known. Some were saying, ‘John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him.’ But others said, ‘It is Elijah.’ And others said, ‘It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.’ But when Herod heard of it, he said, ‘John, whom I beheaded, has been raised’ (Mark 6:14-16). Clearly Herod was unable to see the big picture. As an earthly king he was convinced that everything centered on him, on his actions, on his beliefs. For this reason he, like so many others, was not able to understand who Jesus really was. Herod had sentenced John to death; now John must have been raised and sent to continue tormenting Herod. Somehow it all had to do with the king, right? Of course it didn’t. Jesus was, and is, at the center of everything, but Herod could not see it that way.
You don’t have to be a king to get it wrong, of course. All too often we put ourselves at the center of life judging everything according to our own perspective. Herod was so concerned with himself that he failed to see what grace Jesus was offering. Do we have the same problem? I know that from time to time I get so caught up in my own feelings that I neglect to see all that God is doing for me and for other through me. On these occasions I play the role of Herod, assuming that I must be at the center of life while ignoring the truth: Jesus alone is at the heart of all things and in him God’s grace abounds.
Prayer: Lord, help us to place you at the center of our lives so that we may see more clearly the blessings you offer and the love you pour out. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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