27-Oct-16

Gospel LK 13:31-35
Some Pharisees came to Jesus and said,
“Go away, leave this area because Herod wants to kill you.”
He replied, “Go and tell that fox,
‘Behold, I cast out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow,
and on the third day I accomplish my purpose.
Yet I must continue on my way today, tomorrow, and the following day,
for it is impossible that a prophet should die
outside of Jerusalem.’
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem,
you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you,
how many times I yearned to gather your children together
as a hen gathers her brood under her wings,
but you were unwilling!
Behold, your house will be abandoned.
But I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say,
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”

Reflection:
Some Pharisees came to Jesus and said,
“Go away, leave this area because Herod wants to kill you.”
Generally, we read in the gospels about the Pharisees being opposed to Jesus. But, even among our enemies, we may find an occasional friend.
In today's gospel, we find the Pharisees warning Jesus to escape because the despot, King Herod, wanted to kill Him.
Never one to bow to the opinion of man, even a king, He replied, “Go and tell that fox, 'Behold, I cast out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow.....'"
Since the time of Jesus' ascension into heaven, His followers have stood strong in the face of opposition to the message of the gospel.
Christians today continue to perform the works of Christ: feeding the hungry,
sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned,
burying the dead, giving the alms to the poor.
".........and on the third day I accomplish my purpose."
Jesus knew that he must die and rise on the third day to defeat the power of death, just as Christians today know they must continue His work in order for His peace to reign on earth.
"Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you,
how many times I yearned to gather your children together
as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were unwilling!"
We do not know with certainty how many times Jesus went to Jerusalem. But clearly, He loved the people of the "City of David." (Sam. 6:12)
Yes, the Lord of all, the Savior of all, died for all, even for His enemies, that they too may know the love of their Father and be set free from their sins.
“The happiness of love is in action; its test is what one is willing to do for others.” - - Lew Wallace, Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ.