19-Nov-15

Gospel 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.”
Reflection:
Arriving at Jerusalem, Jesus viewed it from a distance and wept. Even though he knew he would be rejected and crucified, his heart still ached for the city and people whom he loved.
"For the days are coming upon you when your enemies....will encircle you....They will smash you to the ground...and they will not leave one stone upon another..because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”
The Jewish people did not "recognize" the purpose of Jesus' visit. They rejected His message of peace and love of their fellow man. Instead, they took up the sword against their Roman oppressors. Forty years after the death of Jesus, the Roman Empire destroyed the city of Jerusalem, just as Jesus predicted. They did not leave one stone upon another.
If, in both our personal land professional lives we insist on being "power driven," then, like the citizens of Jerusalem, we will not find peace and will run the risk being brought down.
Humble of heart, Jesus Christ continues to bring his message of love for our fellow man to each of us. "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Matthew 11:29
The "City on a Hill," the new Jerusalem, will not be built of block and stone, but will instead be built out of our love and concern for others.

"We build too many walls, and not enough bridges."
Isaac Newton