St. John shed many tears because no one had been found worthy to open the heavenly scroll (Rv 5:3-4). That scroll represented the revelation of God's will, which was the only way to resolve the world's problems. John wept because the world would be left mired in its problems without hope. Jesus also shed many tears in today's Gospel passage (Lk 19:41). He wept over Jerusalem because the path to peace was shown to the city, but it refused to follow that path (Lk 19:42) and its rebellion would be deadly (Lk 19:43-44).
It is good to weep for people when their obstinacy blocks the will of God. This is a godly sorrow, and "sorrow for God's sake produces a repentance without regrets, whereas worldly sorrow brings death" (2 Cor 7:10). Godly mourning and sorrow can even bring divine protection; those who mourned for Jerusalem's sins were spared during its destruction (Ez 9:4-6). Jesus calls this godly mourning "blessed" (see Mt 5:4). We weep as God's will is blocked, even as we pray and work for His will to be done on this earth (Ps 126:5-6).
Today is the patronal feast of Presentation Ministries: the Presentation of Mary in the Temple. Mary grew up to become the Sorrowful Mother, weeping many tears in godly sorrow. Her life of mourning, sorrow, and victory is proof that our godly tears are not in vain. Jesus spoke to the weeping women of Jerusalem (Lk 23:27ff). He also speaks words of comfort to those who weep for God's will to be done. One day, Jesus will wipe every tear from the eyes of those who mourn, and there shall be no further mourning (Rv 21:4). God sees and cherishes your every tear (Ps 56:9).
| PRAYER: | Father, I choose to offer my sorrows to You rather than drown them in worldly distractions. |
| PROMISE: | "The Lord loves His people, and He adorns the lowly with victory." –Ps 149:4 |
| PRAISE: | "His mercy is from age to age on those who fear Him" (Lk 1:50). |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College