Today’s Scripture Readings

As he came near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, ‘If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. Indeed, the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up ramparts around you and surround you, and hem you in on every side. They will crush you to the ground, you and your children within you, and they will not leave within you one stone upon another; because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God.’

Like Jesus, we can weep over our world, knowing that if human hearts embraced the teachings of Jesus, peace would reign in our hearts and lives. Imagine a world where the goods of the earth are shared equally so that no one goes hungry; where power is exercised as service for promoting the common good; where nations respect one another’s rights to peaceful coexistence without the threat of war; where life is respected and protected regardless of age or capacity; and where creation is cared for as the source of our wellbeing. Is this a dream or is it possible?

Jesus cries out for this to be so, but he also acknowledges that oppression, death, and destruction of Jerusalem will ensue. Why, ‘because you did not recognise the time of your visitation from God.’ It would seem that we too have not heeded this warning and recognised the power and sovereignty of the Kingdom of God in our midst but rather have chosen the path of selfishness and greed, plunging us into darkness.

How then can we turn this state of affairs around? We need to pursue peace, firstly in our own hearts, then with our neighbours and family, causing a ripple of love to break through our society and challenge the stranglehold of greed. Yes, embracing the vision and teachings of Jesus means claiming and working for peace in our circles of influence.

Jesus, Prince of Peace, sow peace into our hearts so that all we say and do will bring the Kingdom of God alive in our world. Amen.