O Jerusalem, Jerusalem

Reflection 56 from Matters of the Heart, a series of Orthodox reflections on faith and life.

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing!” – Luke 13:34

See Also:

Psalm 57:1

As sojourners in this world we ought to be vigilant as to never stray from the protective wings of our Lord in pursuit of vain pleasures and temporary glories. For in doing so we may be subject to the same lament of Christ over his beloved Jerusalem. We too may be guilty of killing the prophets and messengers of the Lord by neglecting or failing to heed the Holy Words of Scripture. We may also be rejecting our Lord’s attempts to gather His flock into His Holy Body by forsaking the protection of the Church in favour of competing entertainments and other secular priorities. And like the inhabitants of the great city, we may be rejecting the love of God by passing up opportunities to dialogue intimately with our Saviour. Let us be vigilant so as not be counted with the inhabitants of the old city, for the Lord promises the Heavenly Jerusalem to those who remain sheltered beneath His impregnable wings.

Prayer

My Lord, my trust is in You alone, shelter me under the protection of Your wings in order that I may safely pass from this world into the next.

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