Saturday, March 15, 2025
Matthew 23:37-39, NRSV
“‘Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you, desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.”’
Reflection - Pastor Laurie Pfahler, Royersford United Methodist Church
Being a parent or caretaker or anyone who loves another (or others) is hard. SO hard. As parents, when do we step back and give our babies, who are quick to tell us that they are not “babies” anymore, freedom to make their own choices… to experience both success and failure… to allow them to pick themselves up…? How do we cope with the choices they make in their lives that challenge our hearts, spirit, and our need to fix things for them? Often, they have to learn things for themselves the hard way; and we cry and pray for them, and we be there for them.
In this scripture, Jesus laments in the Temple about how Jerusalem has turned away from God so much so that they are willing to kill anyone who says what they do not want to hear. He knows that the people need to make their own choice about their lives and his death. He can’t fix their souls for them. Their faith needs to heal them. They will not see Jesus for who he really is until their hearts believe and say, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.”
When we stray, Jesus prays for us and leaves his light on so that we can find our way back to his truth and forgiveness. Our faith heals us and we can say from the depths of our hearts, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.”
Loving compassionate Parent God, thank you for your patience with us when we make bad choices; and your faith in us to follow the light home to your loving arms. There we are forgiven and healed by faith and affirm your Son, the Christ, IS the ONE who comes in your name. In his name we pray, Amen.
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