Today’s readings:
Psalm 149:1-9
Luke 19:41-44
Luke 19:43-44 describes the fall and destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. by the Romans. It broke Jesus’ heart. “As he drew near, he saw the city and wept over it.” (Lk 19:41). Now, almost two millennia after, our Lord continues to weep over the situation of his people, who do not understand and experience shalom, the peace that he came to bring. “If this day you only knew what makes for peace--but now it is hidden from your eyes.” (Lk 19:42).
What the Romans did to God’s people then, the forces of darkness do to God’s people today. “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.” (Lk 19:43). Christians today are besieged, by powerful anti-life and anti-family forces. “They will smash you to the ground and your children within you” (Lk 19:44a). Abortion is rampant, forced in some countries like in China. Further, “they will not leave one stone upon another within you” (Lk 19:44b). The LGBT juggernaut is destroying the very foundations of faith and family.
Why all these? It is “because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.” (Lk 19:44c). Jesus has come into the world and has saved us. But most choose to ignore him, not accept him into their lives, live lives apart from him. If they persist, they are doomed.
But Jesus grieves over them. So he wants to give them a chance. They can still be saved, through a work of massive evangelization. The harvest can be rich, but the problem is the lack of laborers. Not only that, but these laborers need to be fit to be effective.
What the Lord looks for are holy warriors, those who are authentic Christians living his way of life, and going off to do spiritual battle with the forces of evil. God looks for instruments and workers who go forth “with the praise of God in their mouths, and a two-edged sword in their hands” (Ps 149:6). This is a good description of a holy warrior. They are to go forth against the worldly forces of the evil one, “to bring retribution on the nations, punishment on the peoples, to bind their kings in shackles, their nobles in chains of iron, to execute the judgments decreed for them” (Ps 149:7-9a).
For holy warriors faithful to God and to His commands, “such is the glory of all God’s faithful. Hallelujah!” (Ps 149:9b).
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