A thoughtful Reflection on Luke 13:31–35: When Love leaves the House ( 30-10-25)

A thoughtful Reflection on Luke 13:31–35 that narrates the lamentation of God over the forsaken people and calls us to a transformation (30-10-25) 

Praise be to Jesus Christ 

Once there lived a mother who had three grown-up children. Her home was once full of joy, warmth, and prayer. Every corner of the house was filled with songs, stories, and the pleasure of shared meals. But as the years passed, the children became busier—one with work, friends, and the youngest absorbed in endless distractions. Slowly, the mother’s calls went unanswered, and her visits felt unnecessary. One evening, she sat alone in the living room that once overflowed with love, whispering through her tears, “My house feels empty now.” The walls still stood, the furniture remained—but the love that once gave life to her home was gone. The house was forsaken.

This simple story mirrors the deep sorrow of Jesus in Luke 13:31–35. As He gazed upon Jerusalem, His beloved city, He lamented, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you! How often have I longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! Behold, your house is forsaken.” (Luke 13:34–35)

The ‘house’ Jesus spoke of is not simply the  city of Jerusalem, but it is each person. St. Paul has stated that our bodies are the Temples of God. God dwells in our hearts. If Jesus directly taught, healed and loved the Jews, but they were hesitant to admit him as Saviour and God. The lamenting “Behold your house is forsaken” is not out of anger, but it is a cry, the cry of wounded love. It is the cry of the God who loved us, giving everything. In Jeremiah 12:7,  God remarks, “I have forsaken my house; I have abandoned my heritage; I have given the beloved of my soul into the hands of her enemies.”

St. Teresa of Avila once said, “God walks among the pots and pans”. This refers to the Emmanuel nature of God who wishes to live in ordinary places. He knocks at the doors of our hearts to come and reside. If we open the doors, he will happily dwell. When we push away God each time, Jesus cries and suffers for us. Guardian Angel also eagerly awaits our return.  

This passage calls for introspection. The “house” that can become forsaken may be our own heart, our family, or even our community. God does not leave us—but we sometimes close the doors through indifference, busyness, resentment, or neglect of prayer. A heart without God becomes an empty house; a family without love becomes a dwelling without warmth; a consecrated community without prayer becomes a structure without spirit.

A home where prayer is forgotten, where screens replace conversations, or where grudges silence affection, becomes a forsaken house. But a family that prays together, forgives often, and loves generously keeps its doors open to Christ. But if God is adored at the centre of the family, He will make everything good and right.

Our “house” is our soul and our community for a consecrated individual. When charity gives way to criticism, when duty replaces devotion, when the voice of Jesus is drowned by busyness, the inner dwelling becomes barren. The Lord’s lament over Jerusalem becomes His whisper to the consecrated soul: “I long to gather you under my wings… do not turn away.” Jesus does not seek victory, but he desires faithfulness, as Mother Teresa of Calcutta remarked.

If it opens its doors again, no house will be forsaken. Like Zacchaeus, when we welcome Jesus anew, He says joyfully, “Today, salvation has come to this house.” (Luke 19:9) Wherever love is rekindled, wherever forgiveness is offered, wherever prayer rises again from silence—there, the forsaken house is made alive.

Let us then allow the Lord to enter our hearts and homes once more. Let our hearts be His dwelling, our families His reflection, and our communities His living temple.

 Lord, come and dwell in my heart

⇒If you find this reflection meaningful and fruitful, please share it with others

The Team Search offers retreats, reflections, and classes for religious and others on various biblical themes, the Eucharist, prayer, spiritual direction, Missiology, English phonetics (basic & advanced), Mariology, the Sacraments, the Desert Fathers, and more. We are happy to assist you if you find it hard to get a resource person for any Christian topic.

♦Contact: thesearch1994@gmail.com

God Bless…