Daily Reflections - November 22,2012

JESUS WEPT OVER THE CITY

 

City life attracts many of us. Though of Ilocano parents, my siblings and I grew up in Paco, Manila. We lived in an old neighborhood where families residing along the same street knew each other well. We had memorable and meaningful exchanges. The Parish Church of San Fernando de Dilao with its two belfries, Paco Catholic School and the now renovated Paco Market, are all walking distance away from our apartment. I also liked downtown Quiapo and Santa Cruz districts where my maternal grandmother would bring us whenever she received her monthly pension. I loved seeing the varied sights along Escolta, Echague, Carriedo, Raon, Avenida Rizal and other pedestrian streets around the commercial districts.

But as a young boy, there were also certain things that I found repugnant about the city that I knew. I hated the traffic and the thick pedestrian crowd especially during the Christmas season. I hated the vendors who practically invaded the streets and made walking around an ordeal. I frowned over the smell and ugliness of piles of garbage everyone left behind. Jerusalem could have been a similar experience to Jesus and to Jews who ascend it from their laid-back hamlets and small towns. This religious, political and economic hub of Israel could have been an enriching experience and a city of many memories for growing up Jewish boys!

Revisiting the city as a grown-up Jew, Jesus cried over Jerusalem. He cried over the decay, the proliferation of poverty and misery even as the privileged ones prospered, the profanity of words and ways of the crowds, the indifference of the political and religious leaders and the creeping secularity and materialism around the Temple.

The laid-back life of simple fishermen and farmers in Galilee may not have afforded them rich food and drinks brought in by Romans and other moneyed Gentiles who have come to do business in Jerusalem. However, there could have been more peace and quiet and spiritual groundedness among the rural folks. Fr. Domie Guzman, SSP

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: What do you prefer — to live in the city or in the province? What very important considerations do you have in deciding the best place for your home?

 

Lord, help me to remember that anywhere You lead me is home.