THURSDAY OF THE THIRTY-THIRD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Reading today's Gospel, Luke 19:41-44, I cringe at Jesus weeping. You see, when Jesus approaches Jerusalem, His chosen people do not recognize Him. He knocks at the door of their hearts, asking to be let in, but they are too busy, too consumed with their own lives to open their hearts to Christ and His peace.
As we come to the end of our liturgical year and approach the season of Advent, I reflect on my own heart. Am I content with the life I lead? Do I knowledge my constant need for the Lord? Or do I occasionally close myself off from His gifts and His grace? Does He weep at my own closed heart?
It is easy to fall into a life we are comfortable with, free of suffering, free of struggle. Every time I think "comfortable life," my mind hears the words of Pope Benedict XVI, "The world offers you comfort. But you were not made for comfort. You were made for greatness."
The people of Jerusalem were afraid of what Jesus might bring to them. They did not know what His coming might mean. This fear of the Lord is easily observed in our lives; we do not know what the Lord might ask of us and what suffering might come with following Him. "If this day you only knew what makes for peace– ... because you did not recognize the time of your visitation." (Luke 19: 41-44) As we prepare for the arrival of the Baby Jesus, let us remember that He brings His people peace and joy. He leads us to a life of conversion. We fear this life of transformation because it means that we let go of control and allow Him to change us. Instead of relying on ourselves, we turn to Him for true happiness.