Today's Gospel in Art - Jesus sheds tears over Jerusalem

View of Jerusalem, Painted by Joseph-Philibert Girault de Prangey, Daguerrotype, Photo taken in 1844, © The Smithsonian Museum, Washington

Gospel of 21st November 2019 - Luke 19:41-44

As Jesus drew near Jerusalem and came in sight of the city he shed tears over it and said, 'If you in your turn had only understood on this day the message of peace! But, alas, it is hidden from your eyes! Yes, a time is coming when your enemies will raise fortifications all round you, when they will encircle you and hem you in on every side; they will dash you and the children inside your walls to the ground; they will leave not one stone standing on another within you - and all because you did not recognise your opportunity when God offered it!'

Reflection on the Daguerrotype

'Jesus shed tears over Jerusalem' says Luke. He doesn't just say that Jesus 'cried' or 'wept', no He was 'shedding tears', which is a deeply emotional state, showing the humanity of Jesus on full display. Luke also thought it important to report it and write it in His Gospel, so we, 2000 years later would understand and appreciate how human Jesus was. So why did Christ shed tears then? Well, He must have felt very saddened that the people in Jerusalem were so resistant to God's Word… and He could see the disaster looming… foreseeing the Siege of Jerusalem in 70AD when the Roman army captured the city of Jerusalem and destroyed both the city and its Temple.

When we look around us, at our village, our city, our country, our continent, our world, we can see so much disregard for justice, peace, charity, etc and I am sure we too would weep at times with what is going on.....

To read on see: www.christianart.today/daily-gospel-reading/241