Jerusalem: My home is within you

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic

Greetings on this the Tuesday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Zec 8:20-23; Ps 87:1b-3, 4-5, 6-7; Lk 9:51-56
Notes: If one could choose one Holy Land place to visit, I imagine Israel would be the best choice. To see Jerusalem. I’m a Roman so I’d like to see Rome and all Italy but Jerusalem is our human-divine center. To fulfill the vision of the Psalmist, I should invite/pay for a Jewish person who is unable to pay their own way to see their ancestral home. Just saying. Just an old man dreaming.

Return and Restoration

The period of reconstruction of the Temple was a joyous time for the Jewish People. Joy to worship again in the Holy Place, Holy Space. From our Psalm today we gain insight into the Divine Will and Divine Thinking through the simplest human kindness.

During the reconstruction thoughts went to those lost, those who have never seen, those who could not return, and those who even don’t know they can return.
But we shall not fear for them! We shall not despair for them!

One and all were born in her.

Because, in the heart of the LORD, One and all were born in her!

And of Zion they shall say:
"One and all were born in her;
And he who has established her
is the Most High LORD."

In our gospel portion today, even the Samaritan is invited. How do I say this?
Because Jesus rebuked those who rebuked those who rebuked them.
(you might need to read that again).

The Invitation

"Come! let us go to implore the favor of the LORD";
and, "I too will go to seek the LORD."
Many peoples and strong nations shall come
to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem
and to implore the favor of the LORD.

First Reading
Thus says the LORD of hosts: In those days ten men of every nationality, speaking different tongues, shall take hold, yes, take hold of every Jew by the edge of his garment and say,

“Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”

Responsorial
God is with us.

They shall note, when the peoples are enrolled:
"This man was born there."
And all shall sing, in their festive dance:
"My home is within you."

Gospel Acclamation
The Son of Man came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Gospel
When the days for Jesus to be taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, and he sent messengers ahead of him.

On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

6 thoughts on “Jerusalem: My home is within you”

    1. Hi Cathy. Soon Indigenous Peoples / Columbus day! What a very conflicted and difficult day in so many dimensions. I do ponder the refacing of Grandfather Mountain to Mount Rushmore. I do recall Stone Mountain an edifice to commemorate the Confederation. I recall further the Crazy Horse Memorial in South Dakota which gives me hope. We are a tortured race, humans are. We hold onto the good and the bad with equal vigor. We struggle to break through. I love Pope Francis most of all for his urgent plea for us to break through our calcified mentality. If we must blast stone, let it be in our stoney hearts! This is my plea: I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh (Ez 36:26). For all my Indigenous Friends whom I have met in Colorado, South Dakota, Wyoming, Texas, Florida, Mexico, Guatemala, Philippines, and those I cannot mention, bless you and bless us with the prayer of Ezekiel. I will take you away from among the nations, gather you from all the lands, and bring you back to your own soil. I will sprinkle clean water over you to make you clean; from all your impurities and from all your idols I will cleanse you. I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my spirit within you so that you walk in my statutes, observe my ordinances, and keep them.
      You will live in the land I gave to your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God. However this is understood may it be understood in charity. Bless you, My Friend.

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  2. Gerry I lived on a kibbutz in Israel when I was 20years old. Best experience of my life – I met so many people from all over the world there. I was only supposed to stay for 2 months but I stayed for 6 months and STILL did not want to come home ❤️❤️it’s magical. The land…the people…it’s a vibration and a connection that is indescribable 🙏🙏

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    2. I spent a little time in wonder over your experience. Imagining this joyful spirit of a woman being free to contribute as she can and accept this communal support and affection. I smile at the thought you had to stay forever. Yet, in a sense you have stayed forever! Your inner smile comes through and the joy of those moments live in you and your readers, me especially, have now a taste of such joy. Peace! Peace upon Jerusalem!

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