Please read the passage before that the homily.
Herod the Great built a huge castle for himself; it had three towers, the ruins of one remain. It is said that Herod knew how to work the emperor to Herod’s best political advantage. Is Jesus thinking of Herod as an example of an astute builder or army commander, someone who could pursue his plans obstinately and diligently?
Think of the legendary famous coaches who could out- maneuver opposing coaches and bring victory to underdog teams. A well-known author of self-help books admitted that it cost him his family and home to become a millionaire and best-selling author. We do know a few things about how to succeed in life, whether it is about building great buildings, becoming rich and famous, or manipulating people. Most of the time we opt out of the rat race and plod along our way.
Herod and our modern examples teach us how to be disciples of someone. If we are to be disciples of Jesus, we are not to build grand palaces, become successful politicians, or become rich and famous. These are all distractions. It is in service to the Lord and service to others in the name of the Lord, preferring the Lord’s work to our own advancement that makes us disciples of Jesus.
If Herod had become a disciple of Jesus instead of the Emperor, we would have St Herod the Great today instead of the ruins of his castle. If we follow Herod’s way of discipleship, we will have just the ruins of our lives as he has the ruins of his castle.
We have to renounce all our possessions in order to be disciples of Jesus. Having marvelous castles, being rich and famous, being a successful politician are possessions we have to renounce in order to be successful disciples of Jesus. Then we can be Saint (OurName) the disciples of Jesus.