Longing for the life Jesus offers us

Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor.

A reflection on the daily readings, for Thursday of the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, by Father Perry.

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor

+ It is a little curious, if not striking, that there is a tangible relationship or connection between the rulers of Persia and Judah, the prophets Ezra and Haggai, and even between Herod and Jesus.

In the case of those years around the rule of King Darius and the governor Zerubbabel, the issue of rebuilding the temple grew stronger and stronger.

God seemed to need his temple not so much for himself, but so that the people would recognize who he was in their midst; and just by really knowing this, they might find new and real meaning in their lives.

So that they would not just live temporal things but be alive in the spirit, and living for things that really counted.

As the responsorial psalm — Psalm 149 — says today, “Let Israel be glad in their maker.”

Whenever Israel forgot their God and their maker, things seemed to go awry; they needed constant reminding.

The temple itself was to be a great reminder!

Herod, “that fox.”

+ Herod, another temporal ruler, was at the very least quite curious about this Jesus, “Who then is this about whom I hear such things?”

And the testimony of Luke is that Herod, “kept trying to see him.”

Jesus knew of his curiosity and even remarked about Herod to some Pharisees: “Go and tell that fox,” Herod, ‘Behold I cast out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I accomplish my purpose.'”

But let us face it — curiosity is not enough.

Real faith opens one to the great mystery of Jesus the Christ and welcomes in the life that Jesus is, was, gave, and offered for those then and us now to share in the kingdom of God.

Once again, Jesus says it bluntly in John’s Gospel, as expressed in the Gospel Verse today: “I am the way and the truth and the life.”

King Darius and Zerubbabel, and even Herod, were at the very least curious — but that was not enough.

Nor can it be for us.

Hopefully, as the scriptures make rather clear today, we are seeking and longing for, desiring and wanting this life that Jesus offers us.

That can truly satisfy those hearts that long for it.

And as we approach a new year in a few months and begin with our Advent celebrations yet again, we will echo those famous Advent words: “Come, Lord Jesus, come!”

And not out of curiosity, but out of true longing.

Father Perry Dean Leiker is the 13th pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142. Email Father Perry at pleiker@stbernard-church.com.