Opening Prayer

Lord, grant that I may see you more clearly,
love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly,
day by day.

Scripture

Luke 19:41-44

As he came near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, “If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. Indeed, the days will come upon you when your enemies will set up ramparts around you and surround you and hem you in on every side. They will crush you to the ground, you and your children within you, and they will not leave within you one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God.”

Reflection

As Jesus weeps over Jerusalem, He laments the city’s failure to recognise “the things that make for peace.” True peace, as Jesus embodies and teaches, is found through reconciliation, justice, and alignment with God’s will. Reflecting on the turmoil that Jerusalem faced, we are reminded to seek and promote peace in our own lives and communities by fostering understanding, practising forgiveness, and pursuing justice. By aligning our actions with the teachings of Christ, we contribute to a more harmonious and peaceful world.

Jesus’ sorrowful prophecy about Jerusalem’s destruction underscores the tragic consequences of ignoring God’s presence and message. The city’s downfall serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of being attentive to God’s visitation in our lives. We are called to remain vigilant and responsive to God’s guidance, recognising the moments when He reaches out to us. By staying attuned to God’s presence and acting on His call, we can avoid the pitfalls of spiritual neglect and embrace a path that leads to growth and fulfilment in His Kingdom.

Contemplation

I take a few moments to imagine the scene from the Gospel story I just read. I let the words come alive in my heart. I visualise the event as if I was there and part of the story. I pay attention to all the details, the sights, the sounds, the tastes, the smells, and the feelings of the event. I imagine myself as one of the characters in the scene or as myself present in the story. What message does Jesus have for me? How is God speaking to me personally through this story? I open my heart to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

Thanksgiving

I ask God, the Father, to give me an intimate knowledge of the many gifts I have received,
so that filled with gratitude for all, I may in all things love and serve the Divine Majesty.

Fellow Pilgrims

As is the business of tailors to make clothes and cobblers to make shoes, so it is the business of Christians to pray.

– Martin Luther

Closing Prayer

Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Amen.