Saturday, the Third Week of Lent

Eighth Station of the Cross – Jesus meets the daughters of Jerusalem

“And there followed him a great multitude of the people, and of women who bewailed and lamented him.  But Jesus turning to them said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.” (Luke 23: 27-28)

   Why would Jesus tell these women to weep for themselves and their children?  He knew what was to become of Jerusalem.  By AD 70 the temple would be destroyed and Jerusalem overrun.  In His ministry He had several times warned of the coming disaster to come upon them.  “Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple.  But he answered them, ‘You see all these, do you not?  Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another, that will not be thrown down” (Matt 24: 1-2).

   What more could God have done to persuade the Israelites to turn to Him and live by His will?  He had sent prophets; they were killed.  He had sent the Israelites into exile; once returned to their homeland they turned from Him again.  He sent His only Son; they rejected and killed Him as well.

   We, like the Israelites, have turned from God in so many ways.  We reject His teaching and ignore His laws.  Many of us claim to be Christians but do our actions confirm our claim?  Sadly, in many cases they do not.  We have removed God from our schools and the public square.  Those who would stand for Him are ridiculed, persecuted and laughed at.  Can we expect God to allow us to continue down this path or can we expect the same fate as Jerusalem?

   If we allow our leaders to ignore what we know to be wrong we are no different than the Jewish nation of Jesus’ day.   Our politicians say what they think we want hear to get elected but ignore it once in office.  How many have said they will stand for the rights of unborn children; how many have done anything about it?  Many of our religious leaders seem afraid to confront the evil they see every day.  Why will they not follow the example of the apostles and stand for Christ regardless of the consequences?

   During this time of self-reflection and sacrifice for our sins let us also make a commitment to do what is necessary to turn our society around and put us on the right path.  If we don’t it could be our nation that is left without one stone left upon another.  God will greatly bless those who stand for Him and His ways; let us be among those so blessed.