DAILY HOMILIES #Herod

Do I feel threatened by anyone who is doing well in life? In all sincerity, are there certain persons I secretly envy and pray for their downfall because they have become successful or are now far ahead of me? Do I kill through character assassination – bearing false tales about others just to bring them down? Perhaps, I am guilty of the fear of the Jews.

Be humble enough to accept criticism. You are not always as perfect as your ego makes you believe. Consider those who criticize you to be your real friends helping you to grow.

Repent. Let others shine. What belongs to you can never pass you by. Pulling others down, defaming people’s character, or blackmailing just to look good will not get you far.

One lesson we must learn from the action of Herod is to avoid speaking when we are super-excited. Avoid making promises when you are in a good mood. Words are powerful.

There is a Herod that lives in us; it is called our “ego”. It wants to reign, to be number one, to pull others down. It wants to be worshipped by all means. It is ready to eliminate, to kill and destroy others so long as it advances our self-interest. How often have you felt threatened by the success of others to the extent of that you find yourself speaking ill of them, spreading false tales and even trying to eliminate them?