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.)
Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder the ones 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.