“As he drew near, he saw the city and wept over it ...” (Luke 19:41)
Origen of Alexandria offers the following insight on this Gospel verse:
“When our Lord and Savior approached Jerusalem, he saw the city and wept.… By his example, Jesus confirms all the Beatitudes that he speaks in the Gospel. By his own witness, he confirms what he teaches. “Blessed are the meek,” he says. He says something similar to this of himself: “Learn from me, for I am meek.” “Blessed are the peacemakers.” What other man brought as much peace as my Lord Jesus, who “is our peace,” who “dissolves hostility” and “destroys it in his own flesh”? “Blessed are those who suffer persecution because of justice.” No one suffered such persecution because of justice as did the Lord Jesus, who was crucified for our sins. The Lord therefore exhibited all the Beatitudes in himself. For the sake of this likeness, he wept, because of what he said, “Blessed are those who weep,” to lay the foundations for this beatitude as well. He wept for Jerusalem “and said, ‘If only you had known on that day what meant peace for you! But now it is hidden from your eyes,’” and the rest, to the point where he says, “Because you did not know the time of your visitation.” (Homily on the Gospel of Luke, 38).”
As we venerate the glorious memory
of the most holy Virgin Mary,
grant, we pray, O Lord,
through her intercession, that we, too,
may merit to receive from the fullness of your grace.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
Who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
of the most holy Virgin Mary,
grant, we pray, O Lord,
through her intercession, that we, too,
may merit to receive from the fullness of your grace.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
Who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Click here for a link to the Liturgy of the Hours, Office of Readings Second Reading from Saint Augustine on this Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Glory to You Father, Son and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning is now
and will be forever. Amen!
as it was in the beginning is now
and will be forever. Amen!
