REFLECTIONS TODAY
Arriving at the spot where he has a beautiful sight of the city of Jerusalem, Jesus cries instead of rejoicing. He laments over the destruction of the city, for not recognizing the time of his visitation.
His presence there is his visitation. He is there to announce the good news of salvation, but the residents would not listen. Instead, they will kill him, as he predicted three times. He also predicts that the city will severely be punished.
Historically, it happened in AD 70 when the Romans besieged the city and destroyed the Temple for harboring the rebels. There was no way to rebuild it and to return to its pristine beauty. In Hebrew, the word “visitation” is paqad.
When God visits his people or some individuals, it is either to announce that something good will happen, like in the case of Sarah, who was soon to conceive a son, or to announce destruction, like God visiting the iniquities… up to the fourth generation (Ex 34:7).
We, Christians, must be attentive to God’s coming into our lives. He comes to us as a poor man, through the events of daily life, through his Word and the sacraments. Let us not ignore his presence when we encounter him. To us who welcome him and ask for mercy, he brings salvation; to the unresponsive and indifferent, destruction.
First Reading • 1 Mc 2:15-29
The officers of the king in charge of enforcing the apostasy came to the city of Modein to organize the sacrifices. Many of Israel joined them, but Mattathias and his sons gathered in a group apart. Then the officers of the king addressed Mattathias:
“You are a leader, an honorable and great man in this city, supported by sons and kin. Come now, be the first to obey the king’s command, as all the Gentiles and the men of Judah and those who are left in Jerusalem have done. Then you and your sons shall be numbered among the King’s Friends, and shall be enriched with silver and gold and many gifts.” But Mattathias answered in a loud voice:
“Although all the Gentiles in the king’s realm obey him, so that each forsakes the religion of his fathers and consents to the king’s orders, yet I and my sons and my kin will keep to the covenant of our fathers. God forbid that we should forsake the law and the commandments. We will not obey the words of the king nor depart from our religion in the slightest degree.”
As he finished saying these words, a certain Jew came forward in the sight of all to offer sacrifice on the altar in Modein according to the king’s order. When Mattathias saw him, he was filled with zeal; his heart was moved and his just fury was aroused; he sprang forward and killed him upon the altar.
At the same time, he also killed the messenger of the king who was forcing them to sacrifice, and he tore down the altar. Thus he showed his zeal for the law, just as Phinehas did with Zimri, son of Salu.
Then Mattathias went through the city shouting, “Let everyone who is zealous for the law and who stands by the covenant follow after me!” Thereupon he fled to the mountains with his sons, leaving behind in the city all their possessions. Many who sought to live according to righteousness and religious custom went out into the desert to settle there.
Responsorial Psalm • Ps 50
“To the upright I will show the saving power of God.”
Gospel • Luke 19:41-44
or Matthew 12:46-50]
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.”
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2025,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: publishing@stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.
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