Lk 19:41-44
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke
As Jesus drew near Jerusalem,
he saw the city and wept over it, saying,
“If this day you only knew what makes for peace—
but now it is hidden from your eyes.
For the days are coming upon you
when your enemies will raise a palisade against you;
they will encircle you and hem you in on all sides.
They will smash you to the ground and your children within you,
and they will not leave one stone upon another within you
because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”
——————
Today’s readings could not be more timely. Our world is badly needing peace…heck, we as individuals are badly needing it as well. So what gives? Why does it always seem just beyond our reach? We seem to be more divided than ever. By political lines, religious lines, you name it.
Here’s what I think is the answer. Obedience to JESUS!!! It’s not about praying more, or being more…it’s about RECEIVING HIM more and then walking with Him, one step at a time. It’s about relearning the basics of our faith…that we can’t do anything without His inspiration. It’s about ‘stepping into it’. It’s about trusting Him and being wise enough to submit to His Voice (in every part of our lives)! It’s about being humble enough to know that we aren’t the only one that He is leading…and that He may have very different purposes for the other person and is therefore allowing them to walk a different path(and that we don’t necessarily need to accompany them). It’s about letting go of our false Gods. I love John of the Cross’ Nada Path…not this, not this, not this either…alas only God suffices.
I had no idea when i started to receive little dabs of inspiration regarding ‘stepping into it’ how much of a framework for my life it would become and how timely it all was. He works like that, giving us exactly what we need and at just the right time. Often it can also help others, and we need to be open to that. But even that can’t be our main motivator…as good as it sounds. It has to be purely about obeying Him…that’s it! He then can take it from there and use it as He wills it.
Have a blessed day everyone, and if you do happen to read this and it inspires you somehow…please leave me a comment. I love hearing back from folks…that then inspires me!!! ;)
Thank you for your insight. This statement really spoke to me: “It’s about being humble enough to know that we aren’t the only one that He is leading…and that He may have very different purposes for the other person and is therefore allowing them to walk a different path(and that we don’t necessarily need to accompany them).” I feel that goes for a person growing deeper into their spiritual life as well as for friends who may be backsliding a bit, we need to stay the course.
Yes, exactly…keep at it! He’s got you. Sometimes the journey can seem SO lonely, but don’t give up. It’s like He is asking us…aren’t I enough? And eventually we realize that He indeed is. 😉