“Jerusalem, Jerusalem,
you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you,
how many times I yearned to gather your children together
as a hen gathers her brood under her wings,
but you were unwilling!”

luke 13:34

Luke 13:31-35

Reflection

Jesus reveals that his mission on earth will be accomplished in Jerusalem, the holy city where prophets are killed and stoned. We know that Jerusalem is his final destination and where he will be crucified and killed.

Jesus also says that he yearned to gather Jerusalem’s people together like a hen gathering her brood under the protection of her wings. How often does Jesus desire to bring us close to him in his loving embrace, yet we turn away and reject his love!

How can we better respond to the Lord’s call in our life? We know our eternal destination is the heavenly Jerusalem, and in order to arrive there, we must follow Jesus’ path. When we are bogged down by everyday life and don’t turn towards Jesus, especially when he calls us, we miss out on the opportunity to grow in relationship with him.

Jesus wants to gather all of us close – will we let him? If you have trouble opening up to Jesus or accepting his love, ask him to soften your heart. If you let him in little by little, you will discover his great love for you and the great things he has planned for your life.

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Saint of the Day

St. Wolfgang of Regensburg: AD 924 – 944

St. Wolfgang of Regensburg was a German Benedictine monk and bishop who was a missionary and known as a great reformer. He leaned heavily on monastic traditions for such religious reforms and was also known for his generosity to the poor.

St. Wolfgang, pray for us!