Luke 13:31-35

Lectio (Reading)

Read the passage twice and get a sense of what it is saying. Pay attention to what strikes you.

Some Pharisees came to Jesus and said,
“Go away, leave this area because Herod wants to kill you.”
He replied, “Go and tell that fox,
‘Behold, I cast out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow,
and on the third day I accomplish my purpose.
Yet I must continue on my way today, tomorrow, and the following day,
for it is impossible that a prophet should die
outside of Jerusalem.’

“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.”

Meditatio (Reflecting)

Slowly read the passage again, pausing on words or phrases that stands out. Take time to consider the meaning. particularly in your life.

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

Oratio (Responding)

Read the passage again, slowly. Consider how God has spoken to you and respond back to Him. You may want to consider how this passage is asking you to act differently.

The protestant bible scholar N.T. Wright, once wrote that there is more to this analogy of the mother hen gathering her brood under her wing. On many occasions when a chicken coop caught fire and was burned, there would be times when picking through the smoldering fire, they would find chicks under the burnt body of a mother hen. It was concluded that she covered them with her body and sacrificed her life to save those hatchlings from the fire, incredible!

And now in this reading we have Jesus saying the same thing, that he yearned to gather Jerusalem many times from the storm and onslaught of evil. He sent them prophets, and one warnings after another, but the jews were unwilling to hear them, and they were all ignored. The prophets only honored years after the were killed for their warnings.

I am reminded of a time I told a small child not to touch the glass of my fireplace, because it is hot and they will be burned. Only to find out later that the child went and touched it anyway. They had to find out for themselves, and did not head my warning, until after it was too late. Isn’t this so true for all of us, no mater our age, we hate to be told what to do, and we really hate to be told what we are doing is wrong. Ultimately it comes down to trust. God is perfect and utterly trustworthy, but we seem to not believe this, but he deserves it more than anyone.

Contemplatio (Contemplating)

Take time to simply remain in the presence of God.

Resolutio (Resolving)

Make a resolution that will improve your life, your relationships, or your faith. Make it small and attainable, and do it.

Oh lord, please help my faith, and help me to trust you more, and to heed your warnings. Gather me under your wing, and protect me from harm.