St. Luke’s gospel is constructed so that Jesus is always “on the way” to Jerusalem. It is in Jerusalem that he will meet his destiny. He knows that suffering awaits him in Jerusalem. He understands that there are people who oppose him, who desire him harm in Jerusalem. His reaction to all this is surprising. “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.” Instead of running from those who look on him as the enemy Jesus desires to embrace them, to gather them in a maternal embrace. Jesus does not divide the world into “us vs. them” but instead seeks to find communality, to join together in unity. As followers of Jesus in this election season we have the same obligation to find a way to embrace those who don’t agree with us.
