City of Peace

An old gate in a Jerusalem wall, the nearest to the Mount of Olives. 
My scripture reflection for today was on Jesus' royal entry into Jerusalem (Luke 19:28-44.)  Not a conquering king.  Perhaps that's why Luke has no mention of branches or palms.   This Messiah brings peace to the City of Peace (which is what "Jerusalem" means.)  By now in Luke's Gospel Jesus has developed a large following. 
Though it is clear in all the Gospels that this crowd is full of joy, Luke is the only gospel writer who uses the word, "The whole group of disciples joyfully began to praise God at the top of their voices."
From the beginning of his Gospel Luke makes it clear that the coming of the Lord is the occasion for rejoicing.  The angel tells Mary to rejoice.  In announcing the birth of the Messiah-God, the angel tells the shepherds, "Look, I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by the whole people."
If that connection seems like a stretch, Luke makes it very clear in what the crowd joyfully shouts at the Messiah's entrance into Jerusalem, "Blessed is he who is coming as King in the name of the Lord!  Peace in heaven! and glory in the highest heavens!"  Luke does not have Mark's and Matthew's Hosannas.  He wants to remind us of the angels' hymn to the shepherds, "Glory to God in the heavens and peace to God's people on earth."  The coming of the Messiah in Bethlehem and the coming of the Messiah in Jerusalem bring joy and peace.
It is at this point in Luke's Gospel that Jesus cries over Jerusalem, the City of Peace, "If only you had recognized this day the way to peace."  He cries as well over us and our world that thinks that war brings peace.  The love that the birth and death of the Messiah lets loose in our world is the source of true peace and joy.