In today’s Gospel, Jesus gazes upon Jerusalem and weeps. I don’t remember weeping much, but the few times I did, it was for love. It’s impossible to live and love others without experiencing pain or sorrow, and without weeping for something so dear when it is in jeopardy. Jesus’ sorrow is palpable, a lamentation born from love. He will go on to die in the same city of Jerusalem because of the love He has for humanity. Oh Jerusalem!
He sees a city blind to what makes for peace, deaf to the voice of God that calls it to conversion and renewal. Jesus foresees destruction—a tragedy rooted not in God's will but in humanity’s refusal to recognize the time of its visitation.
The reflection calls us to look at our own lives in 2024. Have we, like Jerusalem, failed to see the opportunities for peace and grace that God offers us daily? Have we grown so busy, distracted, or hardened by the trials of everyday life that we no longer hear His still, small voice calling us to reconciliation, love, and a deeper trust in Him?
When I think of my own journey, one from a small farming village in Ghana, nurtured by the faith of my grandfather, to navigating the challenges of life in New York, I am struck by how often God visits us in unexpected ways. His visitation is not always in grand, miraculous moments we might expect, but in the quiet, persistent invitations to love, serve, and grow. Yet how easy it is to miss those moments when we are consumed by the pressures of daily life.
As I travel now for work, I’ve experienced firsthand the "palisades" of modern life: stressful work environments, fractured communities, loneliness, and personal struggles like addictions. These can enclose us, threatening to crush our hope and blind us to the blessings that surround us. Reflecting on my work this past year, I now recall moments of exhaustion and frustration beyond measure. But I also recognize the quiet visits from God: the smile of a grateful patient, the support of colleagues, the warmth of strangers on the street, love from a supporting family, and the strength to persevere another day. These are small stones of grace amidst the rubble of daily challenges. We must try not to overlook those.
Jesus’ lament over Jerusalem is not just about a city; far from it, it is about all of us. It is about every moment when we fail to recognize that God is with us, seeking to guide us toward peace, and when we fail to recognize how much God loves us. We cannot change the past, but we can choose today to open our eyes to His divine presence.
Let us ask ourselves: What "palisades" are we building that keep God out of our lives? Is it pride, resentment, or just the same old fear and greed? And what would it take to tear them down and welcome His peace and love?
May this Gospel today remind us to pause and reflect. Let us not wait until it is too late to recognize the time of our visitation. God is here, now, inviting us to trust Him, embrace His peace, and live lives of love and compassion.
May we all, like Jesus, look upon the world with eyes of love and work to bring His peace to all we encounter. Amen.
I remain your pal,
Ronnie
No comments:
Post a Comment