HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THIRTY THIRD WEEK IN THE ORDINARY TIME YEAR B
(THE PRESENTATION OF MARY THE MOTHER OF GOD)
(Apocalypse 5:1-10, Psalm 149:1-6,9, Luke 19:41-44)
Dearest in Christ, today the Church celebrates the presentation of the blessed Virgin Mary. This feast reminds us of the special role of Mary the mother of Jesus the saviour in the plan of salvation. Mary was so unique, that she was offered to God from her very tender age, to enable her to choose for herself the path that will lead humanity to God.
However, the rejection of the messages and good news of salvation, brought to the Jews by Jesus, made Him to weep over the people and the city for their ignorance. Jesus willed that all humanity should be saved from their sins, but the wickedness of the human nature have made us to be cruel in understanding God’s plans for us.
The gospel tells us that, “As Jesus drew near Jerusalem and came in sight of the city He shed tears over it and said, ‘If you in your turn had only understood on this day the message of peace! But, alas, it is hidden from your eyes! Yes, a time is coming when your enemies will raise fortifications all round you, when they will encircle you and hem you in on every side; they will dash you and the children inside your walls to the ground; they will leave not one stone standing on another within you and all because you did not recognise your opportunity when God offered it” (Luke 19:41-44).
Of course, the weeping of Jesus was not primarily because of the future physical destruction of the Temple and invasion by the Roman forces in the year 70CE. It was first and foremost tears over the lack of faith of so many which was the true destruction He mourned. The people lacked direction and trust in God’s genuine will to save them from destruction.
The gospel tells us that, “As Jesus drew near Jerusalem and came in sight of the city he shed tears over it and said, ‘If you in your turn had only understood on this day the message of peace! But, alas, it is hidden from your eyes! Yes, a time is coming when your enemies will raise fortifications all round you, when they will encircle you and hem you in on every side; they will dash you and the children inside your walls to the ground; they will leave not one stone standing on another within you and all because you did not recognise your opportunity when God offered it” (Luke 19:41-44).
In like manner, Jesus is weeping for us each time we fail in our role to choose salvation. Every time we choose to be wicked and accept sin in place of love and righteousness, Jesus continues to weep for us, telling us this, “how I wish that you understand what you are doing and the things that would happen to you.”
Let us today reflect on the quality of our lifestyles and call on Jesus to direct us, so that we may choose salvation instead of sin. Jesus calls us to choose to be perfect representation of God’s plan of salvation to the world like Mary. Let us remain docile to accepting the truth of Jesus’s love for humanity which the gospel teaches us. Peace be with you.
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