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Gospel: Luke 19: 41-44
As Jesus drew near Jerusalem,
he saw the city and wept over it, saying,
“If this day you only knew what makes for peace–
but now it is hidden from your eyes.
For the days are coming upon you
when your enemies will raise a palisade against you;
they will encircle you and hem you in on all sides.
They will smash you to the ground and your children within you,
and they will not leave one stone upon another within you
because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
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This is quite a tough Gospel!
For the last three years, Jesus has exercised his public ministry.
He’s forgiven sins, healed the sick, and even raised Lazarus from the dead. At one point, the crowds following him were so large they nearly trampled him to death.
Now the tides have turned; his ministry is coming to an end as he enters Jerusalem, where he’ll be killed.
But from the very beginning, Jesus warned his disciples that this day would come. He knew it all along.
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Consider what this means.
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For at least one thousand days, Jesus knew that his public ministry would lead to his death.
Still, he doesn’t turn away from it. He embraces it. He perseveres to the end.
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Perhaps this is why he says to us, “Come to me all you who are heavy burdened, and I will give you rest.”
He knows what it feels like to carry a heavy burden. He shows us how to persevere in times of trial through prayer and unrelenting confidence in his Father.
With Jesus by our side, we, too, can persevere through whatever life throws at us.
So, what burdens am I carrying that I might want to share with him?
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Let us pray.
Father, we lift up all who find themselves heavy burdened this day. May they persevere like Jesus, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
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Image credits: (1) Homilies, The Prodigal Father (2) www.marysrosaries.com (3) 39 Jesus Ideas, Pinterest