BLAMING THE FOREFATHERS (LK 11:47-54)
Prayer:
O Jesus, fill me with a true piety which knows and loves God.
Imagination:
Picture Jesus denouncing the Pharisees.
Context:
The Jews blame their forefathers for being mistaken and killing the prophets. However, they will do the same thing in killing Jesus. Jesus recounts human history. Abel was the first one killed in the bible and Zechariah was the last prophet killed (2 Chr 24:20). Jesus’ accusations are proven true by the final sentences.
Gospel Text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud.)
The Lord said, “Woe to you who build the tombs of the prophets but it was your fathers who killed them. You show that you stand behind the deeds of your fathers. They killed the prophets and you build their tombs. That is why the wisdom of God says, ‘I will send to them prophets and apostles. Some of them they will kill and persecute.’ So, this generation will have to account for the blood of all the martyrs shed since the foundation of the world, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who died between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you. This generation must account for it. Woe to you lawyers. You have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not gained access, yet you have stopped those who wish to enter.” After he had left this gathering, the scribes and Pharisees began to show fierce hostility to him and tried to catch him in his speech on many occasions.
Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder those that attract you.)
- The leaders are ignorant that they are caught up in a history of violence.
- They accept violence as a legitimate means of silencing the voices of the prophets.
- They refuse to accept the responsibility, even though their guilt stretches for centuries.
- Jesus offers them a new stream, a redemption from their past violence.
- Unfortunately, the leaders even block people who would want to follow Jesus. They have taken away the Key of Knowledge.
- They try to capture Jesus in his speech. What fools! They battle divine Wisdom Himself.
- They do not repent. They do not change. Their hostility grows.
Affections: (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)
- O Jesus, what are my sins? And the sins of my family? Let me repent.
- Jesus, you offer me a pure stream, a future history purified of the past.
- Redeem me, Jesus, from my culture.
- Open the door. Give me the Key to Divine Wisdom. I will walk in your paths.
- Jesus, change me. Forgive me. My past will no longer burden me.
- You are truth. You are life. You save. You redeem. You open holy roads to those who will follow.
Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.)
+ I will see clearly the sins of my culture and reject them.
+ I will be a prophet who speaks out against what is not right.
Thought for the Day: (To recall your meditation.)
I will send to them prophets and apostles.