Catholic Men’s Daily Devotional and Bible Study – 33rd Week in Ordinary time – Thursday – Luke 19:41-44

The Gospel reading from the Mass for Thursday for the 33rd Week of Ordinary Time is Luke 19:41-44.

As His long ascent towards Jerusalem nears its end, Christ is welcomed by massive crowds who lay down palm branches and hail Him as a conquering king.  Gazing upon Jerusalem (meaning “City of Peace”), Christ weeps over the coming fate of His great city and the many souls who have and will reject the salvation He alone brings.

The God of Creation, who is with the Father from the beginning (John 1:1), recalls the establishment of Jerusalem for His Chosen People. Christ recalls Israel’s rejection of God that culminates in the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. and the exile to Babylon. He accurately foresees Israel’s rejection of Him and His Crucifixion during Passion Week and the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.  In the coming destruction, Christ remarkably foresees the Roman siege in which the Romans surround Jerusalem, built ramparts (cast up a bank) and trap the Jews inside (hem you in) and ultimately slaughter them; It is estimated that over a million Jews died during the Jewish rebellion.

Christ weeps as He foresees: “For the days shall come upon you, when your enemies will…dash you to the ground, you and your children within you…because you did not know the time of your visitation.” Those who reject Christ reject peace and invite destruction.

Awed by Jesus Christ – Son of God, Christ’s awareness is eternal and He recalls ancient events and future events; eternal, He is beyond time and space. Divine Prophet, Christ accurately predicts the coming destruction of Jerusalem 40 years in the future. Son of Man, Christ expresses deep sorrow and loss over the many souls who will perish, both physically and eternally.

Being a Heroic Catholic Man

1) As a Divine Person, Christ has both a divine nature and human nature. Marvel how  in the Incarnation, God personally experiences the joys and sorrows of His Creation as the Perfect Man.

2) Despite God’s 5th Commandment forbidding the murder of innocent life (Ex 20:13), many Catholic men support abortion failing to grasp Christ’s own anguished words, “your children within you.”  Review the Church’s unfailing condemnation of all Abortion (CCC 2270-2275, 2322) and pray for Christ to help you to fearlessly defend mothers and their unborn children.

3) Today, rampant sin (fornication, abortion, pornography, homosexual acts and “marriage”, abortion, divorce, contraception) is widely embraced by citizens and protected in law by governments; Christ’s warnings about the destruction of evil societies is ignored. Review men’s duty to Refuse Obedience to Immoral Governments and Laws (CCC 450, 1901-1903, 2242-2243, 2313) and pray for Christ to give you the wisdom and fortitude to always do His Will.

Spiritual Practices – Include in Today’s Prayers

Sacred Mystery of Rosary – The Luminous Mysteries

Daily Devotion – The Holy Eucharist

Virtue of the Day – Fortitude

Corporal Work of Mercy – To shelter the homeless

Spiritual Work of Mercy – To bear wrongs patiently