Daily Retreat 08/05/06
2006 Aug 5 Sat: Ordinary Weekday/ BVM/ Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major
Jer 26: 11-16. 24/ Ps 68(69): 15-16. 30-31. 33-34/ Mt 14: 1-12
From todays readings: For in truth it was the LORD who sent me to you, to speak all these things for you to hear.... Lord, in Your great love, answer me.... Herod the Tetrarch heard of the reputation of Jesus....
Herod
NB: Later in the month, on the 29th, the feast of the martyrdom of John the Baptist is celebrated, so todays commentary will be more of a brief digression, an educational summary of the three prominent Herods mentioned in the New Testament. Since theres nothing edifying about any of the Herods, I must apologize for the uninspirational tone of todays virtual retreat, but I still hope it will help sort through some common historical confusion!
From 37 - 4BC, Judea was ruled by King Herod the Great, who was, however, himself subject to the Romans. This fist Herod was a strong and cunning ruler, and the mastermind of a series of the most grandiose building projects of all time in the Holy Land, including the great Temple in Jerusalem which stood at the time of Jesus. Herod was also a ruthless tyrant, had ten wives, and suspicions of assassination led him to execute several members of his own family and household. This was the same Herod who ruled at the time of the birth of Jesus, and who met the Magi, and ordered the slaughter of the innocents in Bethlehem.
After the death of Herod the Great, his will decreed that his territory be divided among several heirs, including his son Antipas, who became tetrarch of Galilee (the title tetrarch basically denoted a monarch somewhat less than a king). In honor of his father, Antipas assumed the name of Herodas a dynastic title, much like Roman Emperors were called Caesar in honor of Julius Caesar. So, Antipas is the same Herod the tetrarch mentioned in Matthew 14 whose lust led him to marry Herodias (his brothers wife) and eventually behead John the Baptist. Herod Antipas was intrigued and haunted by the reports he heard about Jesus, and even slyly and underhandedly threatened Him, which provoked Jesus Himself to label Herod a fox (cf. Luke 13:32). During the Lords trial, Pilate expediently tried to rid himself of responsibility by sending Jesus to Herod for judgment, but since Jesus refused to speak a single word, Herod dismissed Him as a fool, sending Him back to Pilate. A few years after the death of Jesus, Herod Antipas experienced some military and political setbacks, and was eventually exiled in disgrace.
Because of incest and divorce, the Herodian family tree is quite convoluted. The Acts of the Apostles also briefly mentions Herod Agrippa, the grandson of Herod the Great (but not the son of Antipas, although Agrippa ultimately succeeded him as ruler of Galilee). Agrippa spent his wanton youth in Rome, where he became friends with Caligula, and when that madman became emperor in 37 AD, to reward Agrippa, Caligula established him as his satellite king. Agrippa successfully curried favor with the Jews, going so far as to imprison Peter and execute James (cf. Acts 12), but after blasphemous ostentation, Herod Agrippa was smitten with a foul disease (perhaps a ruptured appendix) which caused his death in 44 AD.
Jer 26: 11-16. 24/ Ps 68(69): 15-16. 30-31. 33-34/ Mt 14: 1-12
From todays readings: For in truth it was the LORD who sent me to you, to speak all these things for you to hear.... Lord, in Your great love, answer me.... Herod the Tetrarch heard of the reputation of Jesus....
Herod
NB: Later in the month, on the 29th, the feast of the martyrdom of John the Baptist is celebrated, so todays commentary will be more of a brief digression, an educational summary of the three prominent Herods mentioned in the New Testament. Since theres nothing edifying about any of the Herods, I must apologize for the uninspirational tone of todays virtual retreat, but I still hope it will help sort through some common historical confusion!
From 37 - 4BC, Judea was ruled by King Herod the Great, who was, however, himself subject to the Romans. This fist Herod was a strong and cunning ruler, and the mastermind of a series of the most grandiose building projects of all time in the Holy Land, including the great Temple in Jerusalem which stood at the time of Jesus. Herod was also a ruthless tyrant, had ten wives, and suspicions of assassination led him to execute several members of his own family and household. This was the same Herod who ruled at the time of the birth of Jesus, and who met the Magi, and ordered the slaughter of the innocents in Bethlehem.
After the death of Herod the Great, his will decreed that his territory be divided among several heirs, including his son Antipas, who became tetrarch of Galilee (the title tetrarch basically denoted a monarch somewhat less than a king). In honor of his father, Antipas assumed the name of Herodas a dynastic title, much like Roman Emperors were called Caesar in honor of Julius Caesar. So, Antipas is the same Herod the tetrarch mentioned in Matthew 14 whose lust led him to marry Herodias (his brothers wife) and eventually behead John the Baptist. Herod Antipas was intrigued and haunted by the reports he heard about Jesus, and even slyly and underhandedly threatened Him, which provoked Jesus Himself to label Herod a fox (cf. Luke 13:32). During the Lords trial, Pilate expediently tried to rid himself of responsibility by sending Jesus to Herod for judgment, but since Jesus refused to speak a single word, Herod dismissed Him as a fool, sending Him back to Pilate. A few years after the death of Jesus, Herod Antipas experienced some military and political setbacks, and was eventually exiled in disgrace.
Because of incest and divorce, the Herodian family tree is quite convoluted. The Acts of the Apostles also briefly mentions Herod Agrippa, the grandson of Herod the Great (but not the son of Antipas, although Agrippa ultimately succeeded him as ruler of Galilee). Agrippa spent his wanton youth in Rome, where he became friends with Caligula, and when that madman became emperor in 37 AD, to reward Agrippa, Caligula established him as his satellite king. Agrippa successfully curried favor with the Jews, going so far as to imprison Peter and execute James (cf. Acts 12), but after blasphemous ostentation, Herod Agrippa was smitten with a foul disease (perhaps a ruptured appendix) which caused his death in 44 AD.
posted by FrPitstick | 8/03/2006
<< Home