25 September 2025 – Thursday of the 25th week
HOMILY
Herod Antipas, like his father Herod the Great who had the children of Bethlehem put to death at the time of Jesus' birth, is a troubled, anxious man. He is king – or tetrarch – of Galilee, but a puppet king whose power is in reality very fragile since the country is under Roman control. He is very attached to his prerogatives, but always torn by insecurity, always fearing that a true ‘king of the Jews’ will come and dethrone him. He is weak, and would not have wanted to behead John, but he did so in order not to lose face after making a foolish promise to the daughter of his illegitimate wife. Similarly, he became Pilate's accomplice in the death of Jesus, out of fear of the Romans, even though he felt a certain fascination for Jesus. He wants to see Him, but out of simple curiosity.