"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." -Luke 19:44
Thursday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time
So I don't want to make a big deal about writing again and say I swear that this time I will try to be more consistent, blah, blah, blah. But at the same time I don't want to ignore the fact that it's been a while since I posted. So, there it is. I know it's been a while since I posted and in an attempt to improve my prayer life (again), I am going to try to be more consistent.
Today's Gospel reading from Luke paints a picture of Jesus approaching Jerusalem, just outside of the city, when he stops and is struck with grief for the city itself. He warns that because they do not realize the gift that is coming to their city, the people will not find the peace that they are seeking. Remember, Jesus came into their city and taught. He spoke to the crowds, exercised authority in the temple and he was a hero to them. At least he was at the beginning of the week.
But the people of Jerusalem didn't realize that they were being visited by the Messiah. They didn't recognize Jesus and peace eluded them.
How often does Jesus come to us and we don't recognize him? For Jerusalem, Jesus walked their streets in person and the consequences of not recognizing him were dire. But Jesus tells us that what we do to the least among us, we do unto him. He is present to us in everyone we meet. Do we treat everyone that way? Of course we don't. We don't see Jesus in everyone. They may be ragged, homeless or struggling and we marginalize them because they make us uncomfortable. This is the example we are familiar with when it comes to seeing Jesus in everyone. Let's not forget that everyone means.... well, everyone. So that guy in a business suit coming off as self-centered and arrogant, we need to show him love too. That person who just got in your face and went up one side of you and down the other showing no love or compassion to you....yup, we need to show her love too. For me, I don't have so much trouble seeing Jesus in people who need help, they are usually humble and asking for compassion. My biggest challenge is the people who trigger my anger or try to make me feel small. Those are the people I have a hard time seeing Jesus in, and sometimes, I am one of them.
God Bless,
P.D.O.
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