Gospel Reading: Lk 19:41-44
AS Jesus drew near Jerusalem, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If this day you only knew what makes for peace – but now it is hidden from your eyes. For the days are coming upon you when your enemies will raise a palisade against you; they will encircle you and hem you in on all sides. They will smash you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave one stone upon another within you because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”
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In the Gospel, Jesus laments the blindness of Jerusalem to his mission as the awaited Son of David. The people expect a warrior king, one who will lead them against the oppressors. But Jesus enters the city as a meek and humble king, astride a colt. The way for “peace” is not by force or violence, but by faithfulness to God, even through suffering. The Jews will eventually be led by the radicals to revolt against Rome, which will result in the burning of the city and of the Temple in 70 AD.
Jesus has predicted that he would be arrested, imprisoned, disgraced, and crucified. He weeps not for himself but for the tragedy that will befall the city. On the way to Calvary, he will tell the women of Jerusalem who mourn and lament him: “Do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children” (Lk 23:28).
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SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2017” ST. PAULS Philippines, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.
