St Mechtild of Hackeborn was a sister in a Benedictine convent in Saxony, Germany in the late 13th century, entering there at the age of 7. She had her first mystical vision at the time she received first holy communion, when Christ appeared to her and left what felt like an imprint on her heart. She was devoted to the human nature of Christ, seeing the human side of Christ as the door through which humanity entered, forming a union with the divine nature of Christ. She received many mystical visions throughout her lifetime. She had a great devotion to the Eucharist, with Christ revealing to her in a vision that the Eucharist is the primary way he nourishes our souls, and that receiving holy communion with faith allows a mystical entry into heart. She was an important leader in her Benedictine community. She was seen in the convent and in the community as a great prophet, teacher, and counselor. This convent produced two other great mystics in this same era: St Mechtild of Magdeburg and St Gertrude the Great.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus approaches the holy city of Jerusalem for the last time during his public ministry on earth, during which he is overcome with emotion. He weeps for his city and for his people, knowing in his heart that destruction and calamity will befall them soon. Jesus knew that the Jews of Ancient Israel struggled throughout their history to follow God, to be true to God’s commandments and laws, and to honor their covenant with him. For the many times that they strayed, the Jews were often recalcitrant and willfully disobedient. Perhaps on our own faith journey through life, we may struggle with the same things that the Jews did in Ancient Israel. We pray that we may be true to our faith in our word and in our actions and in the ordinary moments of our days.
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