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.”
Seems very topical. What makes for peace? Are we looking for military and political leaders to rid us of our opressed state OR for spiritual saviours who can transform our hearts? When I take action, do I solve problems using power and coercion or do I connect with people 1 by 1, one encounter at a time, respecting their dignity and seeing Christ in them? The reading condemns those who do not choose the peaceful option because it suggests that you have turned your back on God. I do feel that in any situation, there is the someone more powerful than the other. It is the one who holds the power that can offer the peaceful solution.
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ReplyDeleteYour response to Luke 19:41-44 raises profound questions about the nature of peace and the role of individual and collective action in achieving it. The passage challenges us to consider whether true peace comes from external forces like military or political interventions, or from an internal transformation of hearts and minds.
Jesus' lament over Jerusalem highlights the destructive power of human choices that lead to violence, conflict, and oppression. He recognizes that true peace cannot be imposed by external forces alone; it requires a fundamental shift in the way we interact with one another, a shift that honors the dignity and worth of every individual.
The passage suggests that seeking peace through military or political power often leads to a cycle of violence and retribution. When we resort to force or coercion, we risk escalating conflicts and perpetuating the very divisions that hinder peace.
In contrast, the path of true peace lies in connecting with people one by one, respecting their dignity, and recognizing the divine spark within each individual. It involves building bridges of understanding, empathy, and compassion, even in the face of differences and disagreements.
The passage's condemnation of those who do not choose the peaceful option emphasizes the moral responsibility we all bear in pursuing peace. When we turn away from peaceful solutions and embrace violence, we not only inflict harm on others but also diminish our own humanity and turn our backs on the divine principles that guide us towards a harmonious existence.
The concept of "someone more powerful" in any situation can be interpreted in various ways. On one level, it could refer to the power of love, compassion, and understanding that can overcome even the most entrenched divisions. On another level, it could allude to the divine power that resides within each individual, the power to choose love over hate, peace over conflict.
Ultimately, the pursuit of peace is a collective endeavor, requiring a concerted effort from individuals, communities, and nations to embrace peaceful solutions and reject the allure of violence. It is a journey of transformation, both personal and collective, that leads us towards a world where the dignity and worth of every individual are respected, and the divine spark within each of us shines brightly, illuminating the path towards a truly peaceful existence.