READ: LUKE 19:28-44
But as they came closer to Jerusalem and Jesus saw the city ahead, he began to cry. (V. 41)
I had just returned to work on Monday morning, following a hernia repair procedure the preceding week, when my phone rang. It was my friend and community advocate, Father Brian Jordan, telling me he was an organizing a march for peace on Saturday. It would travel through crime and drug plagued neighborhoods surrounding his Parish and within my Police District. It just happened to be on the Saturday that fell between Good Friday and Easter Sunday—coincidence, I think not! “Oh, don’t worry, I have secured the participation of the County Executive,” he boldly proclaimed. Then he proceeded in his humble, but forceful way to secure my presence and pledge of officers for traffic control.
Saturday arrived, the sun was bright, and all the participants appeared as promised and the march began. My uncertainty about being able to finish the 3-mile event due to my surgery, quickly faded as I locked arms with Father Brian, the politicians, other officers and residents. We moved out in unison shouting, “Increase the Peace,” in English and Spanish. There I was a cop, not doing crowd control, but at the center of a march for peace.
I thought the Lord sure does move in strange ways as the march grew in size with each neighborhood we entered. Father Brian, with the help of God, had transformed each neighborhood, which bore witness to violent crime the previous night, into an oasis of unity, hope and peace. The visual message was more powerful than any Easter sermon. Together, with the help of the Lord, peace and quiet could be restored to these broken neighborhoods and shattered lives—hope sprang eternal on that faithful Easter Saturday.
Jesus was at the head of a march entering Jerusalem on Plam Sunday over two thousand years ago. He was hailed as the new king who would bring deliverance, salvation and peace to the cheers and waving palm branches of thousands of people. Yet, just before this triumphant march began, Scripture tells us that Jesus wept, realizing the people would soon reject the opportunity God had set before them. Later in the week, many from the same crowd would watch as he died on the Cross not understanding it was for their transgressions. Caught up in the world as it existed, they rejected their opportunity for forgiveness, salvation and eternal life. Their loss will prove to be our gain if we just trust and believe.
PAUSE FOR REFLECTION AND PRAYER
The peace march did not bring instant relief to the beleaguered communities, but it was the initial step needed to set the restoration process in motion—work that still continues to this day. Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem paved the way for us to restore our broken lives. Are you actively marching with Christ or standing in the crowd?
Thank you, Jesus, for you gifts of peace and salvation. Help me follow your path for the restoration of my life.