From the responsorial psalm: "My mercy and my fortress, my stronghold, my deliverer, My shield, in whom I trust, who subdues my people under me. Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!"

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 13:31-35)

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how many times I yearned to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were unwilling! Behold, your house will be abandoned. But I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”

To hear the Son of God say these words to his people--"I yearned to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings"--is to hear in the words of the Son the lovingkindness of the Father. A love such as this, where we are taken under its wings, is irresistible. Yet, Jesus knows the hardness of heart of Herod and others who want to see him destroyed, even as he performs healings today, tomorrow, and the following day, accomplishing his purpose in willingly accepting his passion and death to rise to glory in the resurrection.

God, give me the grace today to know peace in the confidence of your presence and loving care. Jesus is told to go away to preserve his life, but he ignores the fear and manipulation that Herod and the Pharisees are trying to exercise over him. Instead, Jesus says, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord." Blessed is he who continues today, and tomorrow, and the following day unafraid and in confident obedience to the Father's will. Guide me, Lord, my mercy and my fortress. Blessed be the LORD, my rock!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

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