Memory of the Church

Reading of the Word of God

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

I am the good shepherd,
my sheep listen to my voice,
and they become
one flock and one fold.
.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

Luke 13,31-35

Just at this time some Pharisees came up. 'Go away,' they said. 'Leave this place, because Herod means to kill you.' He replied, 'You may go and give that fox this message: Look! Today and tomorrow I drive out devils and heal, and on the third day I attain my end. But for today and tomorrow and the next day I must go on, since it would not be right for a prophet to die outside Jerusalem. 'Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you that kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you! How often have I longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you refused! Look! Your house will be left to you. Yes, I promise you, you shall not see me till the time comes when you are saying: Blessed is he who is coming in the name of the Lord!'

 

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

I give you a new commandment,
that you love one another.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

While Jesus is in Transjordan, a territory under Herod's control, some Pharisees warn him that the king is trying to kill him. This is not the same Herod of Jesus' childhood, but he is from the same family. And it is likely that Jesus himself has now realised that it is increasingly dangerous to continue the journey to Jerusalem. Even the Pharisees have realised this and they warn Jesus. However, Jesus does not back down, he cannot betray the Gospel, he cannot stop his preaching. He knows, however, that his Gospel is stronger than Herod's power. Indeed, it is necessary for the good news of the kingdom to be preached along the roads of Galilee and Judea all the way within the walls of Jerusalem. This is why Jesus does not flee from Herod, nor does he stop in the face of danger. He answers the Pharisees: "It is impossible for a prophet to be killed away from Jerusalem." And he immediately follows up that sad lament about the holy city that has turned away from God to the point of no longer knowing how to welcome the word of the prophets. Unfortunately, this deafness is not without consequences. Failure to heed the word of God will lead Jerusalem towards destruction. How much bitterness in these words of Jesus: "How often have I desired to gather your children as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!" These are heartfelt words of the Lord that perhaps we must repeat today for many of our cities, increasingly wounded by violence. Only if we welcome God's prophecy, only if the words of love have citizenship in people's hearts, will our cities and towns be able to find the way to a more peaceful and serene coexistence.