A reading from the gospel according to Luke 19:41-44
41 As Jesus drew near Jerusalem, he saw the city and wept over it,
42 saying, “If this day you only knew what makes for peace – but now it is hidden from your eyes.
43 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.
44 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: Peace or Violence
Jesus weeps because He too is human. Yet He is of course divine and as such, He weeps because he saw beforehand the coming destruction of Jerusalem. Incidentally, the name Jerusalem means City of Peace. Yet, Jesus exclaimed that the place will be the site of extreme violence from its enemies. What a disturbing announcement it is! In His eyes, the coming horror is unbearable.
Why would such a terrible thing happen to the City of peace? Jesus Himself provides the answer. It did not recognize the time God visited it. The people there rejected His only Son whom He has sent. Their hearts were as hard as stone and they were blind enough not to see the signs given them. Thus the days are coming their very “Holy City” will be laid to waste and the people and their children will be smashed to the ground.
The words of Jesus became true in the year 70 AD or almost 40 years after the His crucifixion when the Romans made a siege on Jerusalem and destroyed the whole city including its temple and killed untold numbers of people. This was not the first time that destruction occurred in the city. It happened before when Nebuchadnezzar II of the Babylonian empire laid siege on it. The message is the same: Unless the people repent and return to God, they will be destroyed.
Now we fully know why Jesus weeps. He weeps not just because of His humanity but because of His overflowing compassion for His people. After all the healing, feeding and other miracles that He had done, the people still rejected Him and are still rejecting Him. What else can He do? Offer Himself to die an ignominious death for the ransom of many.
Jesus is also warning us today. The days are coming when He will complete the judgment of this world. Let us listen to Him and be converted.
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In this Gospel reading, we see Jesus weeping over Jerusalem. His heart breaks because the people fail to recognize the peace He offers, and He foresees the suffering they will face as a result. This passage is deeply moving, as it highlights Jesus’ profound love, even for those who would reject Him. It offers a timeless reminder that God reaches out to us continually, even when we’re blind to His presence. Let’s reflect on the message of these verses and the lessons they hold for our own lives.
As Jesus approached Jerusalem, He saw beyond the beauty of its walls and buildings; He saw the heart of its people. The passage reads, “As He approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it and said, ‘If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace but now it is hidden from your eyes.’” Jesus, knowing the consequences of the city’s hardness of heart, mourns their lack of understanding and unwillingness to accept His message. This is not simply sorrow; it’s the anguish of a God who loves His people deeply and wants nothing more than to lead them to peace and wholeness.
This picture of Jesus weeping for Jerusalem offers insight into His character and heart. He doesn’t look on our shortcomings with scorn or indifference. Rather, He is moved with compassion and feels the pain of our brokenness. When we walk away from the peace He offers, His heart aches because He knows the price of that choice. He longs for us to live in harmony with Him, in the peace and joy that only He can provide. God’s love is patient and boundless, and even when we choose paths that lead us away from Him, He grieves for us rather than turns away.
In our own lives, how often do we miss the moments God reaches out to us? We get caught up in our worries, ambitions, or distractions and fail to recognize the “things that make for peace.” Like the people of Jerusalem, we might be oblivious to God’s presence, especially when it doesn’t align with our expectations or immediate desires. Jesus stands at the doors of our hearts, inviting us into His peace, but if we’re not attentive, we risk losing sight of what truly matters.
When we reflect on this passage, it’s a call to pause and look closely at our own hearts. Are we open to the peace Jesus offers, or are we blind to His presence because we’re fixated on other things? Our hearts can become hardened by disappointments, fears, and the pursuit of control. Yet, Jesus continually reaches out, offering healing, restoration, and peace. If we accept His invitation, we allow Him to guide us toward a life centered on His grace rather than our own understanding.
Furthermore, Jesus’ sorrow over Jerusalem reminds us of the urgency of His call. The people had many opportunities to turn to Him, yet their hearts remained closed. This speaks to us as well. There’s a sense of urgency in Jesus’ message — not as a warning of impending doom but as a reminder that every moment matters. Each day is an opportunity to draw closer to God, to recognize His love, and to embrace the peace He offers. He doesn’t want us to wait until life’s storms drive us to Him; He longs for us to come willingly, ready to receive His peace.
In our fast-paced world, where peace can feel elusive, this passage offers hope. It reassures us that Jesus is not far off; He is near, always inviting us to experience His peace. We may face challenges, but with Him, we can find a peace that surpasses all understanding. It’s a peace that anchors us through life’s ups and downs, allowing us to trust in His love and timing.
Let us open our eyes and hearts to God’s presence, to the peace Jesus offers so freely. May we recognize His hand in our lives, turn toward Him with open hearts, and receive the peace He longs to give. He is not distant or uncaring; He is close, and He weeps when we choose other paths because He loves us that much. May His love move us to seek Him daily, trusting that in His presence, we will find the peace that completes and sustains us.
