As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side.
Rev. M. Sylvia O. Vásquez, Rector
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (Walnut Creek)
The image of Jesus weeping for Jerusalem is so compelling. The Prince of Peace is exhorting us to change “business as usual.” He tells us that if we would only read the signs we would save ourselves from destruction. He says that his house (referring to the Temple) is a house of prayer, but the ambience of the Temple has lost its focus, the mission of the Temple is obscured by all the surrounding activity.
Jesus comes and calls them on this transgression and of course the leaders want to kill him. How dare he try to change things? Change is a fearful thing to most of us. Even when things are bad, we are reluctant to change because we are used to the way things are, even if they aren’t so good.
Jesus is saying to us, trust me; trust that what I am asking of you will be to your benefit. We will be blessed if we follow what Jesus is asking of us; yet, so many of us prefer to wait until we are near to destruction before we decide that change must happen.
Jesus came to bring us life and an abundance of peace and joy, but because we won’t change our attitudes Jesus weeps for us. Yet, we have time now to change our ways. We have time now to enter into a life of grace. We can do that by living as Jesus showed us to live. We live the life of grace when we treat others with love and respect. We live as Jesus taught us when we forgive those who treat us badly and ask for forgiveness when we treat others badly.
Today Jesus, I give you my heart and my soul. Help me to change before it is too late. I realize that I can’t change without you so come into my life and make me whole and good.” AMEN.
T” asks questions about your impact and contribution in the world.
UP – Go to the 40 hours of Prayer this week. Ask God to give you eyes to see someone needing to be encouraged by the love and forgiveness of Jesus.
IN – Go to the Community Wide Communion Service on Maundy Thursday. While you are there, extend a hand of love with an encouraging word to someone who has served you or encouraged your walk with Jesus during these 40 days of Lent!
OUT – Go outside your comfort zone — don’t keep the meaning and joy of this week to yourself. This week, share with one person who is distant from God one place where Jesus has had meaning in your life.
