30th Thursday - "Am I Not Here, Who Am Your Mother"

 

In the Gospel today, the Pharisees were warning Jesus that Herod wanted to kill Him. Jesus then predicts His own death by stating, “I must continue on my way today, tomorrow and the following day, for it is impossible that a prophet should die outside of Jerusalem”. There were many prophets, who came to Jerusalem and died. Since Jesus is the prophet of prophets, and He knew someday soon, He would be handed over by Judas, and taken to Mount Calvary, to be crucified on the hill just outside of Jerusalem. In today’s Gospel Jesus also said, “But I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.”

And what He said would come true later, as He came to Jerusalem for the last time. He rode a donkey into Jerusalem, and people would lay palm branches down before Him, as He came. And they cried out loud, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, Hosanna in the Highest!” But, just two days later, He would be arrested and taken to Pilate and then Herod and then back to Pilate, who would order His crucifixion.

Our Lord also said, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets and stoning those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!”

Jesus loved the city of Jerusalem. It is there he wanted to gather all God’s children, as a hen gathers her chicks under its wing. They were under the shadow of His protection.

This is such a beautiful analogy because we know how a hen will protect her chicks as a sign of her love for them. Our Lord truly loved the same people, who in Jerusalem had killed the prophets and now would kill Him on Good Friday.

It is inspiring for us to hear about those who loved the very people, who persecute them and hate them and even want to kill them. It is inspiring because these people are imitating Jesus, who loved His enemies, such that He was willing to lay down His life for them.

Today, let us pray for those who hate and persecute Christians, for it is by our love that all will know we are Christians. May we place all of those who persecute Christians and all those who suffer persecution under the mantle of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who in Guadalupe Mexico said, “Am I not here, who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection?”