Faith Daily | 23 September 2021

PRAYER of the DAY - PENTECOST APBA p583

Loving Father,

whose Son Jesus Christ has taught us

that what we do for the least of our brothers and sisters

we do also for him:

give us the will to be the servant of others

as he was the servant of all,

who gave up his life and died for us,

and yet lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

GOSPEL for the Day: Luke 9: 7-9

7Now Herod the ruler heard about all that had taken place, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead, 8by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the ancient prophets had arisen. 9Herod said, “John I beheaded; but who is this about whom I hear such things?” And he tried to see him.

GOSPEL Reflection: Contributed by: Alan Dann

Herod the ruler?

Wikipedia tells us that: Following the death of Herod the Great in 4 BCE, his kingdom was divided between his sons Herod Archelaus , Herod Antipas and Philip.

It is Herod Antipas who is curious about Jesus – who is this man?

I am reminded of a book I once read by John Ortberg, a Presbyterian minister from USA entitled just that “Who is this man” in fact it is a book in which I have written in for those coming after me “this is an excellent book – read it don’t throw away”.

He writes “a revolution was starting a slow quiet movement that began at the bottom of society and would undermine the pretensions of the Herods”.

Herod Antipas is perplexed, curious, seeking more information.

No, this phenomenon is not a reincarnation of John the Baptist, Elijah, or another prophet.

In the three years that Jesus spent sowing seeds Herod would realise that Jesus was a revolutionary and somewhat of a perceived threat.

It is for this reason that Herod and others in authority spent a long time plotting His demise. What they achieved was a hollow victory.

Alleluia, Christ is risen!!

FINAL PRAYER: Together in Song 216 “Rejoice, the Lord is King”

Rejoice, the Lord is King;

your Lord and King adore;

let all give thanks, and sing,

and triumph evermore;

Lift up your heart, lift up your voice.

Rejoice, again I say, rejoice.

His kingdom cannot fail,

he rules o’er earth and heaven;

the keys of death and hell

are to our Jesus given:

Lift up your heart, lift up your voice.

Rejoice, again I say, rejoice.