As Jesus drew near, he saw the city and wept over it... – Luke 19:41

       “Lola, para po sa inyo (Grandma, this is for you).” With her back turned on me, without looking, without a word, she grabbed the plastic bag containing a shirt and shawl. She was an old beggar who sat by the church door every day. Traces of life’s hardship are evident on her face. I felt the pain of compassion for her as she took the plastic bag. I saw a woman so used to receiving alms, and yet still eager to receive. She must have had experienced so many rejections already.

       Poverty is like an enemy that crushes people’s hearts. It takes away peace in one’s being. Though the shirt and shawl may just be a little help for her, may they give her comfort and warmth during cold nights. May they bring her even just a taste of joy and peace within, and may she recognize God’s love through them.

       Jesus draws near to each of us. Maybe not in the way we think. But each time He comes nearer, may we recognize Him and may He find an open heart ready to receive the love and peace He brings. Ma. Luisa De la Cruz (theessence_byluisa@yahoo.com)

Reflection: How open is your heart for Jesus? As He draws near to you, will He be pleased with what He will find there?

Dear Holy Spirit, cleanse my heart and open my eyes that I may always recognize Jesus. As He comes nearer to me, may I be drawn to Him. Amen.

St. Agnes of Assisi, pray for us.

Many tried to escape the persecution by the Greeks and fled to the desert. Perhaps this is the origins of the Essene community that we read of in the Gospels and other early literature of the time of Christ. This ascetical community, responsible for the Dead Sea Scrolls, sought to recapture the true spirit of Judaism.

15 The officers of the king in charge of enforcing the apostasy came to the city of Modein to organize the sacrifices. 16 Many of Israel joined them, but Mattathias and his sons gathered in a group apart. 17 Then the officers of the king addressed Mattathias: “You are a leader, an honorable and great man in this city, supported by sons and kinsmen. 18 Come now, be the first to obey the king’s command, as all the Gentiles and the men of Judah and those who are left in Jerusalem have done. Then you and your sons shall be numbered among the King’s Friends, and shall be enriched with silver and gold and many gifts.” 19 But Mattathias answered in a loud voice: “Although all the Gentiles in the king’s realm obey him, so that each forsakes the religion of his fathers and consents to the king’s orders, 20 yet I and my sons and my kins will keep to the covenant of our fathers. 21 God forbid that we should forsake the law and the commandments. 22 We will not obey the words of the king nor depart from our religion in the slightest degree.” 23 As he finished saying these words, a certain Jew came forward in the sight of all to offer sacrifice on the altar in Modein according to the king’s order. 24 When Mattathias saw him, he was filled with zeal; his heart was moved and his just fury was aroused; he sprang forward and killed him upon the altar. 25 At the same time, he also killed the messenger of the king who was forcing them to sacrifice, and he tore down the altar. 26 Thus he showed his zeal for the law, just as Phinehas did with Zimri, son of Salu. 27 Then Mattathias went through the city shouting, “Let everyone who is zealous for the law and who stands by the covenant follow after me!” 28 Thereupon he fled to the mountains with his sons, leaving behind in the city all their possessions. 29 Many who sought to live according to righteousness and religious custom went out into the desert to settle there.

Psalm 50:1-2, 5-6, 14-15

R: To the upright I will show the saving power of God.

1 God the Lord has spoken and summoned the earth, from the rising of the sun to its setting. 2 From Zion, perfect in beauty, 1stGod shines forth. (R) 5 “Gather my faithful ones before me, those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.” 6 And the heavens proclaim his justice; for God himself is the judge. (R) 14 “Offer to God praise as your sacrifice and fulfill your vows to the Most High; 15 then call upon me in time of distress; I will rescue you, and you shall glorify me.” (R)

Sometimes we seek false peace in our lives. We compromise on the truth of the Gospel and we allow compromises in our search for God’s will. The small concessions grow into larger ones and have a detrimental effect on how the Church proclaims of the Gospel. Let us fix our eyes on God’s Kingdom and never stray from its truth.

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

41 As Jesus drew near Jerusalem, he saw the city and wept over it, 42 saying, “If this day you only knew what makes for peace — but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 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. 44 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.”

think: Let us fix our eyes on God’s Kingdom and never stray from its truth.

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Jeremiah 39-42

HAVE YOU SEEN WHAT

YOU’RE LOOKING FOR?

Question: Have you seen Stevie Wonder’s house?

         Answer: Neither has he. Stevie Wonder is blind.

       It is possible to have something right in front of you and still not be able to see it.

     There are only two occasions where the Gospels record Jesus weeping: at the death of his friend Lazarus (see John 11:35) and in today’s Gospel. Coming within sight of the city of Jerusalem, Jesus wept over it (v. 41).

       Today, Jesus beheld Jerusalem and wept over it. He wept for its failure to recognize the presence and see the manifestations of the Kingdom of God right in her midst. Jerusalem was waiting for the Messiah when, right in front of her, is the Kingdom of God personified in Jesus.

          I once saw a poster showing Superman on one side and Clark Kent on the other. At the bottom it read: “Many girls dream of meeting Superman but walk past Clark Kent every day.” We dream of God manifesting Himself to us in a Superman-kind-of-way, in the process missing the many Clark Kents He sends our way. The world waited for a Messiah, but all it got was a “baby.”

       What is my point? We ask for God’s blessings but oftentimes we want God to give it the way we want them, on our terms, on our conditions, on our calendar, according to our specifications.

       Remember the story of the village guy who lost his house in a fire and prayed to God for help? When an ax fell from heaven, he ranted at God saying, “Are you mocking me? I didn’t ask for an ax!” God replied saying, “I sent you an ax so you can begin cutting trees and build yourself a house.” God’s blessings don’t always come the way we want them packaged. There is no doubt about it. God will manifest His providence and power. We just have to trust and sharpen our eyes to recognize the many Clark Kents He sends our way. Fr. Joel Jason

REFLECTION QUESTION: Have you been impatient and discouraged lately? Might not really be a case of God being silent, but you being blind.

Open our eyes, Lord. We want to see Jesus. To reach out and touch Him. And say that we love Him. Amen.