The Lament for Jerusalem

Today's Reflections

                                                                                 

 

The Lament for Jerusalem

Lk 19:41-44

⁴¹As he drew near [to Jerusalem], [Jesus] saw the city and wept over it, ⁴²saying, “If this day you only knew what makes for peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. ⁴³For the days are coming upon you when your enemies will raise a palisade against you; they will encircle you and hem you in on all sides. ⁴⁴They 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.”

JESUS SAW THE CITY AND WEPT OVER IT. This lament for Jerusalem, city of peace (shalom), is found only in Luke. Jesus weeps because the city rejects him, the man of Peace, the Yeshuah—one who mediates peace. There is so much contradiction here. The city of peace will become a victim of devastation; the man of peace will be crucified. On the way to Calvary, Jesus will urge the women not to weep for him but for themselves and for their children (cf Lk 23:28), for the rejection of the people has already shown the beginning of the destruction of Jerusalem.

This city on a hill is for the Jews a source of hope as it is a pilgrimage site. When they say they go up to Jerusalem, it connotes an affirmation of life exactly opposite to the expression to go down to Egypt, which means slavery. But at this moment, it is painful for Jesus that people do not realize the depth of his love and the breadth of his sacrifice—all for the sake of shalom, the total well-being of humans.

To wage peace is an option.

How do you in your own little ways promote peace?