In today's reading, Luke 13: 31-35, we read an interesting tale. Jesus has been doing psychic, emotional and physical healing and teaching. Now he is warned by some Pharisees that King Herod wanted him dead.
Two immediate problems come to mind. First, the Pharisees -- whose used religious authority to acquire personal wealth, power and influence -- were not supportive of Jesus' ministry and his strong attacks on their lack of ethics. They would likely be the last people to warn him of any real danger. Second, Herod was in fact fascinated by Jesus and sought out opportunity to hear him, not snuff him out.
Clearly an informed reading of this story will tell us that the Pharisees are simply trying to scare Jesus into abandoning his ministry. His response, without pointing to their mendacity, asserts his clear intention to proceed with today and tomorrow, and the "third day" when his activity ends in death and resurrection.
Next Jesus points out that he would reach out even to those who reject him. He uses a feminine imaging for God. Jesus, metaphor of God, is like a mother hen gathering her brood to keep them safe. Professor David Zazen, speaking of his time in Tanzania, recounts watching a hen actually display hostility towards a fox who had approached the coop. The surprised fox retreated and the fledgelings came out of hiding and returned to their mother's protection.
Whoever our detractors, our "foxes," may be, God has our back when we go out to do right in the world and will protect us in our life of advancing the Divine Kingdom.
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