The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite contemplation of the conflict that exists between the norms of contemporary culture and our adherence to our Covenant with God.
Church and Culture
The reading from the First Book of Maccabees describes a scene where pagan worship is refused.
* [2:29] The wilderness: the sparsely inhabited mountain country southward from Jerusalem and west of the Dead Sea, in the region where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found.1
Psalm 50 praises the Acceptable Sacrifice.
* [Psalm 50] A covenant lawsuit stating that the sacrifice God really wants is the sacrifice of praise accompanied by genuine obedience (cf. Mi 6:1–8). It begins with a theophany and the summoning of the court (Ps 50:1–6). Then in direct address God explains what is required of the faithful (Ps 50:7–15), rebukes the hypocritical worshiper (Ps 50:16–21), and concludes with a threat and a promise (Ps 50:22–23; cf. Is 1:19–20).2
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus weeps over Jerusalem.
* [19:41–44] The lament for Jerusalem is found only in Luke. By not accepting Jesus (the one who mediates peace), Jerusalem will not find peace but will become the victim of devastation. * [19:43–44] Luke may be describing the actual disaster that befell Jerusalem in A.D. 70 when it was destroyed by the Romans during the First Revolt.3
Carol Zuegner comments that today’s readings are hard because we come up against the realities of a world that doesn’t always embrace the Gospel and Jesus’ message. Sometimes it’s a world that makes it difficult for us to embrace these messages.
But I can find ways in my life to do the right thing, small ways and large ways. I can remember that it’s not always easy, but the rewards are great. I can start by doing what I can to make my small corner of the world better, to realize that my faith is not only prayer, but action. Even when it’s hard. My prayer for today comes from the alleluia: “If today you hear his voice, harden not your heart." May my heart and spirit be open to the word and the love of God.4
Don Schwager quotes “Jesus fulfills the beatitude for those who weep,” by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD).
"When our Lord and Savior approached Jerusalem, he saw the city and wept... By his example, Jesus confirms all the Beatitudes that he speaks in the Gospel. By his own witness, he confirms what he teaches. 'Blessed are the meek,' he says. He says something similar to this of himself: 'Learn from me, for I am meek.' 'Blessed are the peacemakers.' What other man brought as much peace as my Lord Jesus, who 'is our peace,' who 'dissolves hostility' and 'destroys it in his own flesh' (Ephesians 2:14-15). 'Blessed are those who suffer persecution because of justice.' "No one suffered such persecution because of justice as did the Lord Jesus, who was crucified for our sins. The Lord therefore exhibited all the Beatitudes in himself. For the sake of this likeness, he wept, because of what he said, 'Blessed are those who weep,' to lay the foundations for this beatitude as well. He wept for Jerusalem and said,'If only you had known on that day what meant peace for you! But now it is hidden from your eyes,' and the rest, to the point where he says, 'Because you did not know the time of your visitation'" (excerpt from HOMILY ON THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 38.1-2)5
The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 19:41-44 comments that the peace that Jesus offers is not just the absence of conflict. It’s also not the surface-level, sweep-the-differences-under-the-rug kind of peace. If we want to experience this kind of peace, we will have to follow Jesus’ example. We won’t find it if we’re intent on getting our own way or insisting on getting back at someone. Neither will we be peaceful if we’re bottling up resentment just so that we can “get along.” Instead, it will mean forgiving the people who have hurt us and letting go of past history. It may also mean letting go of the fear that if we surrender our “right” to be angry or resentful, Jesus’ grace won’t be enough to sustain us.
If you’re struggling to offer or receive God’s mercy, visualize Jesus as he wept over the city. He ardently wanted Jerusalem to accept him and the peace he came to bring. That’s what he wants for you too. Whether you need peace in your heart or your family, in your parish or your workplace, Jesus is ready to give it to you. He is the one who makes for peace. He comes with the grace to help us forgive and to love one another as he loved us. Will you accept it? “Lord Jesus, I receive your peace. Heal the divisions in my world, in my church, in my family, and in my heart.”6
Friar Jude Winkler describes Mattathias reaction of killing those calling him forward and escaping into the desert as part of a community of freedom fighters. Jesus weeping over Jerusalem resonates with the understanding of Luke that salvation occurs when we accept Jesus. Friar Jude reminds us that the details of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans may have been added after 70 CE.
James Finley shares his belief that we can only be freed from our addictions by healing our original wound—a loss of connection with divine love.
That’s faith in the higher power. But what if the brokenness has no authority at all over us? What if only love has the authority over us? That’s the essence of the gospel. The essence of the gospel is there. That’s why I say the miracle stories of Jesus, when you really look at the healing stories, they’re all the same, basically. A person brings suffering; Jesus listens to the suffering, responds to the suffering. But Jesus sees the essence of their suffering isn’t that their daughter died or they can’t see or they can’t walk, or they’re a prostitute or a tax collector. The issue of their suffering is they think they are what’s wrong with them. It’s the idolatry of their shame. Reflected in [Jesus’] eyes, they see their true face before they were born, hidden with Christ in God forever. That’s experiential salvation.7
We are nudged by the Spirit to be aware that conflict, disappointment, and selfishness can weaken our appreciation of the Love of God in our lives.
References
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