Father Rick’s Gospel Reflection for Thursday, 33rd Week in Ordinary Time

November 21, 2024, Luke 19:41-44

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112323-weekday.cfm

Tears over Jerusalem.

Imagine the grief in the heart of Jesus as he approached Jerusalem. He wanted them to receive so much of the peace He had in His heart.  It was the time of their visitation, and they blew it. We are his Jerusalem, faithful and unfaithful, saints and sinners.

Not a day goes by that Jesus doesn’t make His way to meet the edge of the hill and look over our lives as He did Jerusalem. What does he see as He casts his eyes upon us? Do tears fill his eyes?

The people of Jerusalem closed their hearts to His way of peace. He wanted them to receive the peace He had in His heart so much. It could have been different for them. Let it be for us. God visits His people daily in Word and Sacrament and is so benevolent to us.

Do not be afraid of change. Let us not be frightened to open our hearts to change. The cross Jesus chose to bear on His shoulders is God’s last cry for us to turn to Him in penance and sorrow to change. Listen to what the Lord Jesus himself said to St. Faustina about the rejected grace and mercy of his heart:

“The flames of mercy are burning Me. I desire to pour them out upon human souls. Oh, what pain they cause Me when they do not want to accept them! I am looking for souls who would like to receive my grace.” (Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kolwalska 1074)

The Gospel Challenge:    

So, let us console the heart of Jesus and begin to dry the tears from His eyes. Our time of visitation is upon us. “If this day you only knew what makes for peace.” Jesus.

Love Your Neighbor! 

Please join me in praying for all baptized Catholics to be faithful to Jesus in the Holy Mass every weekend. Hail Mary, full of grace…

Fr. Rick Pilger, I.C.  

www.bscchurch.com