Luke 13:31-35
At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him,
"Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you." He said to them,
"Go and tell that fox for me, ´Listen, I am casting out demons and performing
cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today,
tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a
prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.´ Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that
kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I
desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her
wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell
you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ´Blessed is the one
who comes in the name of the Lord.´
* * *
Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe that you are my Creator
and Redeemer. I hope in your goodness and mercy. I love you from the depths of
my heart. I place this time of meditation in your hands. Thank you for giving
me this opportunity to grow in love for your holy will.
Petition: Lord,
I want to be convinced of your personal love for me.
1. Persevering
in the Mission: Jesus encounters opposition on his
journey to Jerusalem. Pharisees come to warn him of Herod. Jesus is undeterred.
He knows that the Father’s will is for him to go to Jerusalem and surrender his
life on the cross. He doesn’t hide or seek to escape from his Father’s will. He
knows that the cross lies ahead of him, but he also knows that death and the cross
are not the end. Beyond death is the Resurrection: “On the third day I finish
my work.” Christ’s example should give us confidence to move forward in the
face of our own difficulties and struggles. We should turn to him because he
knows how to persevere in the mission. And since he wants to be involved in our
life, he will accompany us on our journey. He is always with us ready to give
us the help of his grace and the strength of his hand.
2. A Heart
Open to Others: Jesus wept for Jerusalem. His heart was
not closed to others. He was not absorbed in himself or his own problems. He
freely offered his life for others. Others rejected him, but he never rejected
them. He was not bitter towards those who would make him suffer. He loved, and
he never ceases to love. As a hen gathers her young under her wings, so does
God long to draw all men and women to himself. We need to let God draw us to
himself.
3. Pray for
Those Who Persecute You: Jesus sets an example for us to follow.
Our hearts should not be closed. We need to be open to the needs of those
around us, even those who may attack the Church and persecute us. Jesus loved
his enemies. He prayed for those who persecuted him. He blessed those who
cursed him. He sought only their good, and he sacrificed himself for them. He
shows us the way to live an authentically Christian life. To be faithful to
him, we need to reach out in love even to those people who don’t think and act
like us.
Conversation
with Christ
Lord, help me to follow your inspirations always. Often there is good that
I want to do, but I hesitate and draw back. Help me to keep giving even when
I’m tired and worn out. Teach me that you are always with me and that I am
never alone.
Resolution:
I will be open to what a family member or colleague
at work might need, and I will seek to offer my help.