Gospel (Lk 13,31-35) - At that time, some Pharisees approached Jesus and said to him: "Leave and get out of here, because Herod wants to kill you." He replied: «Go and tell that fox: Behold, I cast out demons and perform healings today and tomorrow; and on the third day I will be finished. But it is necessary that today, tomorrow and the following day I go on my way, because it is not possible for a prophet to die outside Jerusalem. »Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to you, how many times have I wanted to gather your children like a hen gathers her brood under her wings and you didn't want to! Behold, your house is about to be left deserted! For I tell you that you will no longer see me until the time when you say: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

The commentary on the Gospel by Monsignor Vincenzo Paglia

While Jesus is in Transjordan, a territory under Herod's control, some Pharisees warn him that the king is looking for him to kill him. He is not the same Herod as Jesus' childhood, but he is from the same family. And it is likely that Jesus himself has now understood that it is increasingly dangerous to continue the journey towards Jerusalem. Even the Pharisees who warned Jesus understood this. However, Jesus does not retreat, he cannot betray the Gospel, he cannot block his preaching. He knows however that his gospel is stronger than Herod's power. Indeed, it is necessary that the good news of the kingdom be preached along the streets of Galilee and Judea right inside the walls of Jerusalem. This is why Jesus does not flee from Herod nor does he stop in the face of dangers. He responds to the Pharisees: "It is not possible for a prophet to die outside of Jerusalem." And he immediately follows that sad lament about the holy city which has distanced itself from God to the point of no longer knowing how to welcome the word of the prophets. Unfortunately, this deafness is not without consequences. Failure to listen to the Word of God will lead Jerusalem to destruction. How much bitterness in these words of Jesus: "How many times have I wanted to gather your children like a hen her chicks under her wings, and you didn't want to!". These are heartfelt words of the Lord that perhaps we must repeat today too on many of our cities, increasingly wounded by violence. Only by welcoming God's prophecy, only if the words of love have citizenship in the hearts of men, will our cities and towns be able to find the path to a more peaceful and serene coexistence.