Gospel  LK 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.”
Reflection:
Jesus arrived on the  outskirts of Jerusalem and viewed the city He loved  from a distance. With a heavy heart He wept and said, “If this day you only knew what makes for peace–but now it is hidden from your eyes.”
Jesus has long since entered into His Glory, but certainly His heart must remain heavy as He views mankind’s continued turmoil and struggle.
Peace continues to remain hidden from our eyes as we, like the citizens of Jerusalem, pursue our need to control each other by imposing our will through intimidation, war and violence.
The peace of heart that Jesus longs for us to possess will only come when our eyes are opened and we embrace the truth of His greatest commandment:
“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13: 34-35)
“If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.”        – – Psalm 95:7-8