"the path to peace" (lk 19:42)
"You failed to recognize the time of your visitation." —Luke 19:44
King Jesus visited the people of Jerusalem. They refused to accept Him as King and wouldn't rest until He was nailed to a cross. Refusing to accept Jesus as King had disastrous consequences. They could have had peace (Lk 19:42). Instead, in 70 A.D., they were surrounded by their enemies, the Romans, and Jerusalem was completely destroyed (see Lk 19:43-44).
In today's psalm, the people do recognize the visitation of their King, the Messiah. "The children of Zion rejoice in their King" (Ps 149:2). They praise Him and dance in festive celebration (Ps 149:3). Instead of being surrounded by their enemies, they bind their enemies in chains, wiping them out (Ps 149:6-9).
Our enemy is Satan and his kingdom of darkness (Eph 6:12). He has surrounded us with his culture of death. He has wreaked havoc upon us, wiping out many millions of babies in the womb, inundating us with rampant perversion and impurity, eliminating prayer from schools, workplaces, and often churches, etc. The psalmist proclaims that victory over our wicked enemy lies in openly welcoming Jesus as King. Are we in this predicament because we have failed to recognize Jesus as our King?
In three days, the Church celebrates the great feast of Christ the King. In five weeks, we celebrate Jesus' Christmas coming. King Jesus is coming. What kind of reception will we give Him?
Prayer: Jesus, Lion of Judah, I ask You to roar through me.
Promise: "The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has won the right by His victory to open the scroll." —Rv 5:5
Praise: St. Cecilia "kept the Gospel of Christ ever near her heart; day or night she never ceased praying and speaking with God."
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, May 10, 2012
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