SAINT ELIZABETH OF HUNGARY, RELIGIOUS (MEMORIAL)

He saw the city and wept over it. 

The Mount of Olives provides a sweeping view of the city of Jerusalem. From where he stood, Jesus would have seen the magnificent Temple on Mount Zion towering over the rest of the city. But Jesus could not enjoy the scenery. He knew that one day the Temple, and all of Jerusalem, would be destroyed. Not even “one stone upon another” would be left standing (Luke 19:44). And so he wept.

But these were not tears of bitterness or anger; they were tears of compassion. Jesus was entering Jerusalem for the last time; it wouldn’t be long before he would be hanging on a cross. He knew that many in the city would not accept the salvation that he had come to give them. Still, he loved them, and he wanted them to see what God was doing right in their midst. He felt sorrow for the consequences they would one day suffer for failing to recognize him as the Messiah.

Jesus’ reaction provides a glimpse not only into his heart but also into the heart of his Father. We might feel tempted to think that all the sin in the world is cause enough for God to become angry, and perhaps even to lash out in revenge. But that’s not the way of our God. He knew in advance that many would reject his Son, and this knowledge must have grieved him! Yet in his merciful, compassionate love, he never gave up hope that every one of his beloved people would eventually turn to him.

At times we may find ourselves mourning as Jesus did. We mourn when we see so many people who don’t acknowledge him. We mourn when we see the consequences that inevitably come from turning away from him. We mourn for the times we have also turned away from God. And in all those times, our weeping is appropriate.

But we don’t want our mourning to overshadow the joy we are called to have as disciples of Christ. We especially don’t want to become angry or bitter. We can instead let our sorrow move us to fall on our knees and intercede for all those who don’t yet know the Lord. And as we pray, we can unite our hearts with the heart of our Father, who wants nothing more than for everyone to recognize the time of his Son’s visitation.

“Jesus, today I weep for all those who don’t know you. May they open their eyes to your saving love.”

Revelation 5:1-10
Psalm 149:1-6, 9
Luke 19:41-44