1 Maccabees 2:15-29
Psalm 50:1B-2, 5-6, 14-15
Luke 19:41-44
Summary
Jesus weeps as his approaches Jerusalem for he
sees the future of the city and its downfall as the city turns against
him, opening the way for destruction.
Reflection
We all have experienced the pain that comes from watching someone
we love make a poor decision. As much as we may try to dissuade
them, they continue on a difficult path. Jesus felt this same pain on a
tremendously higher level. He knew Jerusalem would turn against
him, shed his blood, and subsequently be destroyed by its enemies.
All he could do was the same as we do, weep over the losses to
come.
It is times like this that we must struggle to accept God’s will –
something that can be easier said than done. Our human nature
fights to have things go the way WE want them to, as opposed to the
way HE wants them to. I believe this struggle goes on every day in
most of us. Our desire for peace and comfort for our self and our
loved ones is a constant battle with accepting things as they are.
There is the ever present thought that if I do just one more thing, I
can turn this situation around and things will be better. It is times like
this that I must turn to the Serenity Prayer: God, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I
can; and wisdom to know the difference.