Herod and Gossip

Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying, "John has been raised from the dead"; others were saying, "Elijah has appeared"; still others, "One of the ancient prophets has arisen." But Herod said, "John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?" And he kept trying to see him. Luke 9:7-96

Reflection:
Gossip has a way of spinning our heads. Not a good thing. Herod was getting the tail end of gossip and not getting all the facts. So in his way he tried to go and see Jesus for himself. Just to make sure that what he was hearing was truth.

Nobody likes being told something to only find out, it is wrong. Or given infortmation to mislead others just so they will not succeed. Herod had a time of it it seems. His guilt over beheading John had him reeling. That gives us a clue into Herod's mind. He had a conscience after all. It didn't give him any rest either, he had to go see for himself. Not to be saved from what he has done, but to ease his mind about the deed. John it seems was quite a powerful figure for Herod to fear he had arisen.

Little did he know it is Jesus whom he will really have to fear in the long run. I sit back sometimes and realize that my conscience does the same, it will not rest when I've done wrong even if it was something very small. The grace of God has a beauty all it's own when he gives us the voice of our conscience to do what is right and good.