Our Daily Bread: Hag 1:1-8; Luke 9:7-9

And he kept trying to see him.

Herod can’t help but be fascinated by the Galilean miracle worker who is fast growing in fame. So what prevents him from seeing Jesus? Many gather around Jesus with hope for healing and with at least some openness that allows for faith, even love; but Herod is suspicious, fearful and probably jealous of Jesus.

His desire is motivated not by virtue but by self-interest. Like Herod, we may be trying, to no avail, to see Jesus — in the foreigner, the irritating colleague, the difficult relative, the crabby child. What prevents us from seeing him in others? Little good can be said of poor Herod, except this: He kept trying. Let us do likewise, but with eyes of faith, hope and love.

*For eyes that see Jesus in others, we pray.