Lectio
Read the passage carefully and thoughtfully.
Passage: “And when he drew near, seeing the city, he wept over it, saying: If thou also hast known, and that in this thy day, the things that are to thy peace: but now they are hidden from thy eyes. For the days shall come upon thee: and thy enemies shall cast a trench about thee and compass thee round and straiten thee on every side, And beat thee flat to the ground, and thy children who are in thee. And they shall not leave in thee a stone upon a stone: because thou hast not known the time of thy visitation. And entering into the temple, he began to cast out them that sold therein and them that bought. Saying to them: It is written: My house is the house of prayer. But you have made it a den of thieves. And he was teaching daily in the temple. And the chief priests and the scribes and the rulers of the people sought to destroy him.” (Saint Luke 19:41-47)
Meditatio
Reflect on the passage and consider its deeper meaning.
- Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem: Reflect on the deep sorrow of Jesus as He weeps over Jerusalem. Consider His deep compassion and His lament for the city’s spiritual blindness and impending destruction. Think about the significance of recognising the time of God’s visitation and the consequences of missing it.
- Prophecy of Destruction: Reflect on Jesus’ prophecy about the destruction of Jerusalem. Consider how this warning applies to our own lives and communities when we fail to recognise God’s presence and call to repentance.
- Cleansing the Temple: Meditate on Jesus’ righteous anger as He cleanses the Temple. Consider the importance of the Temple as a house of prayer and the corruption that had infiltrated it. Think about the purity and reverence we should have for places of worship and our own hearts as temples of the Holy Spirit.
- Daily Teaching in the Temple: Reflect on Jesus’ commitment to teaching daily in the Temple despite the opposition He faced. Consider the perseverance and courage required to proclaim the truth in the face of hostility.
Oratio
Respond to the passage with heartfelt prayer.
Sweet Lord Jesus, as I contemplate Thy tears over the Holy City of Jerusalem, I am moved by Thy immense love and sorrow for the Jewish people. Help me to recognise the times of Thy visitation in my life and respond with an open heart. Cleanse my heart from anything that corrupts it, that I may be a true temple of the Holy Spirit, dedicated to prayer and worship. Give me the courage and perseverance to proclaim Thy truth, even in the face of opposition. May I always honour Thy blessed presence and live according to the Will of the Father. Amen.
Contemplatio
Spend time in silent contemplation, allowing the passage to penetrate your heart.
Visualise Jesus weeping over the Holy City of Jerusalem, His heart full of sorrow and compassion. Feel the weight of His prophecy and the urgency of His call to repentance. Imagine the scene in the Temple as Jesus drives out the money changers, restoring it to a house of prayer. Rest in the knowledge of His love and the call to purity and dedication in your own life.
Actio
Consider how you can put the insights from this passage into practice in your daily life.
- Recognise God’s Visitation: Be attentive to the ways the Heavenly Father is present and active in your life. Respond to His call with openness and obedience.
- Repentance and Renewal: Take time to examine your life for areas that need repentance and renewal. Seek God’s cleansing and restoration.
- Reverence for Worship: Treat all places of true worship with reverence and respect. Ensure that your actions and attitudes reflect the sanctity of these spaces.
- Perseverance in Faith: Be committed to living and sharing your faith, even when it is challenging. Trust in God’s strength to sustain you in times of opposition.
