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.” Jesus prophesied that Jerusalem would be destroyed
“because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.” (Lk 19:41-44,
reading at Mass on 11/17/16)
The way to peace is indeed hidden from our eyes!
The time of your visitation: what is that? There was a
moment in history, when the Lord came among us: “he has come to his people and
set them free,” the dawn from on high breaking upon us, to shine on those who
dwell in darkness, to guide our feet into the way of peace. We celebrate this
Incarnation at Christmas; but the Word was made flesh in the womb of Mary nine
months before Christmas. It was a tiny event, and it took some time,
historically speaking, for this moment to be made manifest.
But we continue to celebrate “the time of your visitation”
today, not only looking back two thousand years, but looking at events in our
daily lives. The Church presents this reading about recognizing the Lord’s
visits to us as we approach the end of the year and recall the end of time and
the Last Judgment. It is urgent – it is a matter of life and death – that we
recognize the Lord’s visits. “When I was hungry, you gave me to eat … when I
was thirsty, you gave me to drink … when I was a stranger, you welcomed me.” If
we refuse to recognize the Lord’s visitation when strangers appear at our
gates, our land too will be smashed and scattered.
The Church and the nation are divided bitterly over the
Lord’s visits. Some say, the Lord is present to us in the unborn: protect these
children. Others recall the words of the Lord about welcoming strangers. Why
should we dream of choosing between the two? What is wrong with us?