Lk 13:31-35
At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and gave him this warning, “Leave this place and go on your way, for Herod wants to kill you.” Jesus said to them, “Go and give that fox my answer: ‘I drive out demons and heal today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my course!’ Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and for a little longer, for it would not be fitting for a prophet to be killed outside Jerusalem.
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you slay the prophets and stone those who are sent to you! How often have I tried to bring together your children, as a bird gathers her young under her wings, but you refused! From now on you will be left with your temple and you will no longer see me until the time when you will say: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”
REFLECTION
We remember that Herod (Antipas) beheaded John. Later when he heard about Jesus’ deeds he didn’t believe he was the risen John, but asked: ‘Who is this man about whom I hear such wonders?’ And he was anxious to see him.
In today’s Gospel, Herod wants to kill Jesus. Jesus utters his judgment on him with courage: ‘Go, and give that fox my answer: I drive out demons and heal today and tomorrow. And on the third day I finish my course’. During the Passion Pilate sent Jesus to him. But Jesus was silent and didn’t satisfy Herod’s curiosity.
Let us now recall the final words of Jesus: ‘O Jerusalem, Jerusalem. You slay the prophets and stone your apostles! How often have I tried to bring together your children as a bird gathers her young under her wings, but you refused!’
On Palm Sunday he wept over and said: ‘If only today you knew the ways of peace!’ A small chapel recalls the event in the Mount of Olives. Christ prophesied the destruction but added: ‘You will no longer see me until the time you say: ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord’. This is the hope of Israel’s conversion.
We belong to the new heavenly Jerusalem. During our pilgrimage we need penance and conversion. Let us apply to the Church the tender warning of the Lord.
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