O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you that kills the prophets, and stones them that are sent to you, how often would I have gathered your children together, even as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and you would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, You shall not see me again, till you shall say, Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord.
Matthew 23:37-39
God
is the Lord, who
has showed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the
altar. Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt
thee.
O give thanks unto the Lord; for Lord
is good: for Lord’s mercy endures for ever.
Psalm
118:27-29
As Jesus ministry came to an end, he
lamented that although God, time and again, wanted to draw Jerusalem under
God’s wings, they were unwilling to accept that protection. Jesus came as a
servant of peace and justice, and yet he was rejected and scorned. People deliberately
refused to let Jesus change the way things were. The magnitude of their actions
led to the destruction of the temple before the turn of the century.
Lent is a time when we reflect on the words of Christ calling us patiently to return to God with thanks and praise. Many of us grieve and hurt from the scars and unhealed wounds that come to us over time. We turn to other avenues seeking instant cures to our pain. Christ calls us to instead seek solace in Christ and turn to God, to accept God’s comfort and protection, and dwell in God’s light.
Prayer – Lord you are my light and
my salvation. I will always praise you and thank you for your love and peace that endures
forever. Amen
3 comments:
Why is it that a poor man could accept Jesus, but the learned found it more difficult to accept him? What is the reason for man's hard hardheartedness? Today even in many Christian households or God fearing families some children reject the message of Christ. Are they like the prodigal son who rejected the Father's love? Even the elder brother could not understand the father and rejected his plea to accept his brother when he returned.
We pray for those who have still not come close to you. When we come across such people help us to be kind to them and receive them in your Spirit. Give us the mind of the prodigal sons Father who longed for our children and friends to come back to your fold. Amen
Lord may our homes and churches always be a shelter of peace and reconciliation.Amen
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