Luke 13:31-35
Herod (Getty Images)
31 At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” 32 He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. 33 Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’
34 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 35 See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
"I must be on my way!"
This Sunday's gospel invites us to concentrate on the Lord Jesus' relations to His mission and to His surroundings.
The Pharisees’ motive is questionable. Do they want to protect Jesus or to hinder his preaching and teaching? Jesus remains fully aware and determined to fulfill his mission.
Jesus has no fear of the governing authority, nor of any other threat.
He knows why He came down from heaven. He will gather all the nations and do His best to achieve His goal.
Jesus knows that He will be rejected and even killed in Jerusalem. He suffers even more over the refusal of Jerusalem to accept Him as Redeemer and Savior.
The me in Luke 13:35 "You will not see me" is described in Isaiah 9:6, “For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given... He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace...and His government will have no end."
Jerusalem will not experience peace until all those who inhabit it will say “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!" Let us hope and pray for this!
How often do we think about our faithful determination to God's aim in our life?
Are we convinced of our Christian vocation today, or do we fear any potential, false or true threat?
During this time of Lent, we are reminded to enter our cell and have a direct face to face meeting with the Lord. We can bring Him our doubts, fears, worries, and listen to Him to discern His will.
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord, and blessed are the determined who follow Him saying I must be on His way!