Thoughts for the Day

While everyone was amazed at all that he was doing, he said to his disciples, ‘Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into human hands.’ But they did not understand this saying; its meaning was concealed from them, so that they could not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Today is another Ember Day, those special days of fasting and prayer for the Church and for God's people. The reading from Luke's Gospel about the disciples reminds me of all of us who have become deaf to God's teaching.

Sometimes in life we simply don't want to hear what someone is telling us. When the news is bad we may prefer not to understand it, as when we are told difficult news by a Doctor. I have seen many families who simply don't realise that their loved one is dying, despite being told quite clearly the news. It is a kind of selective deafness.

In our reading today we see that the people and the disciples have been amazed at every deed that Jesus accomplishes. The crowds around him have grown, and after Peter declares that he is the Messiah, their hope for the future must have increased. But when Jesus mentions his suffering and death, Luke tells us that the meaning was 'concealed from them'. Jesus wants to unite His disciples with his Father in heaven so He tells the disciples everything they need to know. Yet, they still do not understand. Possibly this is because it goes against everything they have been taught about the Messiah. A suffering Messiah is not what they want to hear.

There are many things we want to know about our own life, and we should not be afraid to ask God for an answer. But we need to learn wisdom and patience. Not all understanding comes easily. Why does one person suffer and not another; why is one cured and not another? As we draw closer to God and pay attention to what He is saying to us we sometimes get a glimpse of His message. Today is a time to pray for understanding.

Father-God,
often we fail to understand what is happening
to us, to our loved ones,
and to our world.
Give us the wisdom to see Your bigger plan,
and to have the patience to keep on praying.
May we also learn to interpret Your messages
and draw ever closer to You.
Amen.