HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE THIRTY THIRD WEEK IN THE ORDINARY TIME YEAR C
BY REV FR EKESHIRI JUDE EMEKA CSSP.
(1 Maccabees 2:15-29, Psalm 49:1-2,5-6,14-15, Luke 19:41-44).
Beloved, God’s presence radiates justice and peace. Where ever God dwell, will always reflects His beautiful presence. Thus, for the Judo-Christian believer, Jerusalem is a Holy city that have a very symbolic character to the spirituality of the people of Israel which reflects God’s presence in the temple. Jerusalem is the place where the temple of God is located and at such, God’s presence is considered to dwell there. But, unfortunately, the sins of the people have driven away that aura of God’s presence.
Today, in the gospel, Jesus drew near Jerusalem and wept over it. He said, ‘If you in your turn had only understood on this day the message of peace! But, alas, it is hidden from your eyes! Yes, a time is coming when your enemies will raise fortifications all round you, when they will encircle you and hem you in on every side; they will dash you and the children inside your walls to the ground; they will leave not one stone standing on another within you and all because you did not recognise your opportunity when God offered it!’ (Luke 19:41-44).
Why did Jesus weep over Jerusalem? This was indeed the question that came to my mind as I reflect. Jesus wept because He felt sorrow for the people who no longer recognise God’s saving act of love. He wept because of the injustices and depravity taking place in the Holy city. They have rejected God completely and that, they are doomed to be destroyed. He knew that, Jerusalem have lost the peace she once had and that, Jerusalem would be the location of His death yet His love for Jerusalem still remains.
When we suffer injustice from our loved ones, how do we react? Do we feel agitated and lash out anger or Condemn? Do we get defensive over our right to justice? Or do we imitate our Lord and allow our soul to be filled with holy sorrow and love? Holy sorrow is an act of love and is the appropriate Christian response to persecution and injustice. Though injustice should not be tolerated as a Christian but we should offer justice to those who deserve it.
Too often, however, our response is not holy sorrow but anger. The problem with this is that reacting in unholy anger does not accomplish anything good, we need to act and to return justice for good. This passage calls us to reflect on our lives and to consider the many times we have ignored God’s presence in our lives. It warns us to be spiritually wary lest, we be destroyed by our own sins.
Jesus wants us to always recognise and respect God’s presence, whether in the place of worship or in our fellow human beings. Let ask God to renew His presence always in our lives. Peace be with you.
