1Maccabees 2:15-29/Psalm. 49:1-2,5-6, 8-15/Luke 19:41- 44

The Gospel from Luke shares light on the frustrations and sorrows which Jesus had uttered against Jerusalem, for all the wickedness and all the evils that the people there had done; thus, in not obeying God’s Law and commandments, in committing sinful actions and worshipping pagan and evil gods, and in doing what was wicked in the sight of God.

Jesus weeps over the city of Jerusalem. His tears were tears of love. He loved the people of this city; he wanted what was best for them, as love always wants what is best for the beloved. He wanted them to know the peace which his message could bring them.

Beloved in Christ, there many who share in our joys and merriment, but only a few would share in our sorrows. Jesus Christ, who was the man of sorrow, shared predominantly in our sorrows. Our pain was his pain, our loss was his loss. He identified with our afflictions. Let’s note, once at the tomb of Lazarus He wept, Jn. 11:35 and in today’s gospel we find Jesus weeping over Jerusalem because He knew what was going to happen to the city – the city would be annihilated. The leaders failed to recognize that God was visiting them and speaking to them in and through Jesus, God’s beloved Son. They failed to recognize the opportunity God offered them in Jesus.

Again, the reason for His weeping is stated by Jesus himself; the city and its people rejected the way of peace, that is the Messiah Himself. There are things which make for peace, thus things which bring peace to both the hearts of men and the society at large. Dear Friends, the Lord continues to weep today when those whom he loves fail to take the path to peace and happiness that he calls them and prompts them to take. The peace Christ offers is that which settles and strengthens the believer even through the most terrible circumstances and situations.

Lastly, whenever we find ourselves weeping over situations where violence and suffering prevail, because of people’s refusal to live by the gospel message, it is the Lord who is weeping through us.  So, let us all open ourselves up to the Lord; for he will need our willingness, our openness. His tears do not make him bitter or close his heart to us; his tears are always tears of love, a faithful love that endures in the face of human resistance.

To resist an ongoing renewal is to resist the Lord. Our journey towards God, both as individuals and as communities, will always involve repentance, a willing to keep on turning more fully towards what God wants for our lives.