King Herod consults the chief priests and the scribes

My mentor Fr Michel DeVerteuil RIP would often tell us that the biblical narratives contain within them mysteries. And mysteries he would explain are patterns or sequences that play out in our lives. In yesterday’s post we reflected on one such mystery - that in our life’s quest to find the Christ Child we would encounter King Herods.

King Herods are persons, structures or attitudes that oppose the adoration of the Magi and shepherds. Instead they seek to ascertain information and organize forces to destroy. They practice deception and deceit. Like the Magi we must be ‘wise men’, seeing the evil for what it is.

King Herods seek out information from experts such as the chief priests and the scribes, who have the knowledge yet remain indifferent or complicit. These experts, while possessing the truth fail to act upon it. They do not join the Magi on their journey, nor do they resist Herod’s destructive plans. Instead, they become enablers of his schemes.

This pattern invites us to examine the role we play in the face of opposition. Are we like the Magi, actively seeking the Christ Child with hope and courage, or are we like the indifferent scribes, possessing knowledge but failing to let it move us to action?

To navigate the mystery of encountering Herods in our lives, we must combine wisdom with discernment and courage, trusting in God’s guidance to steer us toward the Christ Child while resisting forces that seek to undermine our faith and mission.

So often in my long career I have encountered King Herods both without and within, together with their experts seeking to deceive me. Sadly in some instances they have, but thanks to the grace of God for the most part I have been spared calumnies.

As we enter what by all accounts promise to be a challenging year let us pray for discernment. The ability to recognize the star of the Christ Child as it rises. Then to prepare and set out for adventure, to cross deserts, and confront King Herods and their experts, as we follow that star that leads us to the adoration of the Christ Child.

Today, I leave London and head back to the Caribbean, fully rested and brimming with ideas to grow this ministry. There is so much work to be done to oppose the King Herods and build the kingdom of heaven on earth.

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