There are a couple of occasions in the gospel when Jesus wept. So strong an emotional reaction must have had some deep trigger, something that really touched Him to the heart. He had seen Jerusalem before: why this time when coming in sight of the city was He so moved? In other places, it seems that lack of faith or understanding of His words caused Him anguish and upset. Entering Jerusalem, which should have been a joyful religious experience this time, was such a painful one because He could foresee not only the city's rejection of Himself but also the coming destruction and suffering of the city whose very name spoke of peace (salem/shalom). Jesus was anguished because the city was no longer true to its name, because it "failed to recognize the time of (its) visitation." But don't let us blame only the city leaders: how ready is each of us to receive in peace the coming of the Lord to us in the persons of His poor and hungry and helpless? This is a faith question, being able to see and recognize His face in other people. And to be true to our Christian name, to be peace-people, agents of reconciliation, this too needs faith. Do we really believe enough to be able to accept His will, His plans for us? Faith is God's gift, but it does need our willingness to recognize and accept Him.