of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
NOVEMBER 17, 2016 – WEEK THIRTY-THREE – THURSDAY – JESUS’ LAMENT OVER JERUSALEM

NOVEMBER 17, 2016 – WEEK THIRTY-THREE – THURSDAY – JESUS’ LAMENT OVER JERUSALEM

(Luke 19:41-44)

Prayer: O Jesus, let me know the time of your visitation.

Imagination: (Picture Jesus weeping over Jerusalem.)

Context:

As Jesus comes close to Jerusalem, he suddenly stops and weeps. He knows the future destruction of this city and describes it clearly. He pinpoints the cause of the failure. They did not recognize the importance of his coming.

Gospel Text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud.)

As Jesus drew near, 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. The days are coming when your enemies will raise a wall around you and hem you in on all sides. They will smash you to the ground and will kill your children within you, not leaving one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.”

Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder the ones that attract you.)

  1. Jesus foresees perfectly the future destruction of Jerusalem.
  2. In 70 A.D. the Romans totally destroyed Jerusalem, killing all the children and not leaving “stone upon stone”.
  3. Having enemies on every side, Jerusalem should have depended upon God for its safety.
  4. Instead, Jerusalem kills Jesus and loses their only opportunity for peace.
  5. They do not see the “time of his visitation.”
  6. So Jesus weeps, unable to save his beloved city.

Affections: (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)

  1. O Jesus, how many times you have cried over me.
  2. You see my entire future.
  3. Save me from the destructive forces within me and around me.
  4. Speak to me so I find the path of peace.
  5. Let me know the time of your visitation. I will await you.

Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.)

  1. I will be ready when Jesus visits me today.
  2. I will open my eyes to the destructive forces in my life.
  3. I will say often, “Come, Lord Jesus.”

Thought for the Day: (To recall your meditation)

You did not know the time of your visitation.