18 Nov
Thu
33rd Week in Ordinary Time
Ded of the Basilicas of Ss Peter & Paul, Aps
Rev. 5:1-10
Ps. 149: 1-6,9
Lk. 19:41-44
(Ps Wk I)
How To Pray With Shalom
Home Page of Shalom
Index of This Month
 

There are a couple of occasions in the gospel when Jesus wept. So strong an emotional reaction must have had some deep trigger, something that really touched Him to the heart. He had seen Jerusalem before: why this time when coming in sight of the city was He so moved? In other places, it seems that lack of faith or understanding of His words caused Him anguish and upset. Entering Jerusalem, which should have been a joyful religious experience this time, was such a painful one because He could foresee not only the city's rejection of Himself but also the coming destruction and suffering of the city whose very name spoke of peace (salem/shalom). Jesus was anguished because the city was no longer true to its name, because it "failed to recognise the time of (its) visitation". But don't let us blame only the city leaders: how ready is each of us to receive in peace the coming of the Lord to us in the persons of His poor and hungry and helpless? This is a faith question, being able to see and recognise His face in other people. And to be true to our Christian name, to be peace-people, agents of reconciliation, this too needs faith. Do we really believe enough to be able to accept His will, His plans for us? Faith is God's gift, but it does need our willingness to recognise and accept Him.



Lord, help my unbelief.

DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
That Christian men and women, aware of the vocation which is theirs in the Church, may answer generously to God's call to seek holiness in the midst of their lives.
Elaboration

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