Ps 149:1B-2, 3-4, 5-6A AND 9B
Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Lament Over Jerusalem
Jesus' earthly ministry centres and culminates in Jerusalem. Jerusalem in the Gospel of Luke is the centre of Jesus' ministry, even for the Apostles, because their mission started from Jerusalem towards the Gentile nations. The Scripture describes Jerusalem as the holy city, the throne of the Lord (Jeremiah 3:17); the place which God chose for his name to dwell there (1 Kings 11:13; 2 Kings 21:4; 2 Kings 23:27); and the holy mountain upon which God has set his king (Psalm 2:6). Jerusalem derives its name from the word "Salem," which means "peace." In Jerusalem stood the temple, which was a constant reminder to the people of God's presence with them. These are the people who would receive the blessings of God before everyone else. But did they realise this and grab all the opportunities, especially when Jesus came? No! Today in the Gospel, we see Jesus lamenting over Jerusalem for not accepting the visit of God through him.
Jesus wept for Jerusalem three times in Luke's Gospel. First in Luke 13.34-35, and then today, he weeps over Jerusalem once more as he arrives (Luke 19:41-44) and again as he leaves the city on the way to execution (Luke 23.28-31). The first time Jesus wept for Jerusalem is in Luke 13:34–35, because of killing the prophets and refusing to be gathered together as a hen gathers its chicks. This time he strengthens this point and says that they refused to recognize the visit of God. And lastly, he tells the daughters of Jerusalem to weep for Jerusalem itself, for the time is coming when destruction and torments will overflow Jerusalem, for they did not heed the visit of God. These laments over Jerusalem had serious and real consequences, including the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD.
Jesus' mission was to bring peace and justice to God's people, and to make the kingdom of God a reality on earth, Jerusalem being the first to behold it. But when Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the multitude of homes surrounding the holy temple, he wept over it because its inhabitants did not "know the things that make for peace" (Luke 19:42). As he poured out his heart to the Father in heaven, Jesus shed tears of sorrow, grief, and mourning for his people. He knew that he would soon pour out his blood for the people of Jerusalem and for the whole world as well, but the people had rejected him, had rejected the visit of God, and had not recognized God himself made man. Oh, how doomed were they!
Brethren, are we not sometimes like the people of Jerusalem? Just as Christ prepared to visit the city of Jerusalem, he came to visit the world with his gift of redemption. So, too, he comes to visit your and my soul each day. Standing upon the hilltop of your and my life, what is in his heart as he looks upon me? Is he weeping over my soul or rejoicing over it to have received him? Where are the places in my own life where Christ desires peace? Are there relationships he wishes to heal, wounds of mind and heart he wishes to cleanse and purify? What does this desire of Christ for peace and for recognition of his visitation mean in my own life today? Jesus needs to visit you today; will you be like Jerusalem and reject him or you will accept him with your whole being? Reflect today on this Gospel and allow Jesus to take control of your life.
Let us Pray.
Lord Jesus, as you stand on the hilltop and look upon your beloved city of Jerusalem, I know you are gazing upon my soul, too, and upon the world in which I live. No suffering or trial is hidden from your eyes. Indeed, each one has already been borne in your cross and imprinted upon your Sacred Heart. You know them all. And you desire peace. You desire reconciliation. Speak this word over the sufferings in my own life, in my world today. Give us faith, hope, love, and perseverance to accept you wholly, witness to your truth, and make you known everywhere. Amen
Be blessed.
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