Pilate asked if Jesus was a Galilean, and upon hearing that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod who was in Jerusalem at that time. Herod was very glad to see Jesus; he had been wanting to see him for a long time, for he had heard about him and had been hoping to see him perform some sign. He questioned him at length, but he gave him no answer. The chief priests and scribes, meanwhile, stood by accusing him harshly. Herod and his soldiers treated him contemptuously and mocked him, and after clothing him in resplendent garb, he sent him back to Pilate. Herod and Pilate became friends that very day, even though they had been enemies formerly.    

They had met in the bar, searching for a way to have a great time, because he had told her, "All I wanna do is have a little fun before I die." She wondered whether he had "ever had fun in his life." Now, she thought, they were having fun, "drinking beer at noon on Tuesday." Beer played a big part in their joy: she liked "a good beer buzz early in the morning." He liked "to peel the labels from his bottles of 'Bud' and shred them, "burn them, and spin the empty bottles on the floor." Both were looking for a good time, some fun. It was all they wanted all day and all night "until the sun comes up on Santa Monica Boulevard." In the middle of this intoxicated self-amusement appears a "happy couple, dangerously close to one another." They cause a stir--even "the bartender looks up from his want ads." It seemed everyone was searching for something in that bar. It was a moment of learning for those in the bar. Maybe this was the answer, maybe the answer is not in booze and drinking one's life away. Maybe it is in being committed to one another, becoming "dangerously close" in their communication and in their love. Maybe.... Do they learn? The song does not say exactly, but one is led to believe that they do not, because the story ends only with the refrain: "All I wanna do is have a little fun."

It often happens that while one is living irresponsibly, something occurs that can lead to change, but which is ignored. Like Jesus who came into the lives of two incredibly evil men--Pilate and Herod--saying in effect, that maybe something should change. Maybe they should not continue the mockery of life. Maybe they should take another look at their lives, do something about them. Maybe.... Did they learn? Luke reminds us that at least they became friends that day, presumably because of Jesus, but they did nothing else.

We have here an unfortunate fact of human nature. While we are enjoying ourselves too much, having fun like the people in Sheryl Crow's song, every once in a while, something happens that calls our attention to the possible evil that could result from our behavior. Something happens that makes us aware that maybe we should change. And the result? For the people in the bar in Sheryl Crow's song, the "something that happened" probably went unheeded. For Pilate and Herod, the fact that the Son of God had personally come into their lives brought only a hint of change of behavior and little more.

For people surrounded by a world engulfed in far too much evil, the hope is that they do learn. They must see and understand that their lives may begin in selfishness, but that they must grow away from it.    

THOUGHT
 
PRAYER

Good and gracious God, there are things that happen in our lives that lead us to rethink the way we are living and acting. Help us be able to recognize those moments as graces to move us to change for the better. Be with us, we pray. 

Questions, comments? Let me know. Email Fr. Mike

©2007 Capuchin Province of Mid-America
Fr. Mike Scully is a member of the Capuchin Province of Mid-America