Gospel Reflection for The 30th day of October in the year of Our Lord, 2025
Luke 13:31-35
31 The same day, there came some of the Pharisees, saying to him: Depart, and get thee hence, for Herod hath a mind to kill thee. 32 And he said to them: Go and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and do cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I am consummated. 33 Nevertheless I must walk today and tomorrow, and the day following, because it cannot be that a prophet perish, out of Jerusalem. 34 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent to thee, how often would I have gathered thy children as the bird doth her brood under her wings, and thou wouldest not? 35 Behold your house shall be left to you desolate. And I say to you, that you shall not see me till the time come, when you shall say: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Today’s readings are all about the Kingship of Jesus and His opposition to worldly leaders who are under the power of Satan. The first reading is about how the Christian must fight against the powers of darkness, armed and armored with the power of God. Consider today’s Gospel. The Pharisees were warning Jesus that Herod sought to kill Him. Were these some Pharisees who had come to believe in Him, or were they the same who would call for His crucifixion? Did they think they could scare Jesus and make Him flee the city? Whether sincere or not, Jesus was not afraid.
Our Lord was in absolute control of His destiny. He came to Jerusalem to die. His Holy Word alone could reduce the city to ruble and send all to their knees. He feared no man. While it is true that Jesus became the sacrificial victim, He willingly and purposefully did so. He chose to die in the most horrific way imaginable as expiation for each of our individual sins and the cumulative sin of all humanity throughout time. Jesus knew that Herod was a “fox’, cunning and vying for power. He was not intimidated by an earthly ruler, no matter how evil and violent.
The Bible teaches us that at the name of Jesus, ever knee shall bow. All powers in Heaven and on earth are subservient to Him. Jesus, alone is King of the universe. Amazingly, as members of the Body of Christ we share in this power over evil. Through the anointing of the Spirit of God, we should and must stand boldly against both the spiritual forces of evil and the rulers of this world who oppose God and His Church. We are called to be The Church Militant in more ways than one!
Judson Carroll is the author of several books, including his newest, A Daily Catholic Devotional, Reflections on the Daily Mass Readings January - June, 2026 It is Available in paperback on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FWJMD7CL
and
Confirmation, an Autobiography of Faith. It is also Available in paperback on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C47Q1JNK
His podcast is The Uncensored Catholic https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-uncensored-catholic
AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!