Daily Catholic Reflection: September 26, 2020, Saturday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A

Ecclesiastes 11: 9-12: 8,

Psalm 90: 3-4.5-6.12-13,

Luke 9: 43b-45 Full Readings

Saint Paul VI,  Saints Cosmas and Damian, Martyrs

 The Suffering Messiah

Today's Gospel presents to us the prediction of Jesus of his suffering. The disciples could not however understand that the Messiah would suffer and were left confused and could not even ask any more questions. The first reading encourages the youth to enjoy life when they are still young so that when they grow old, they should not again go back to behave like young men and women. It encourages the youth to enjoy and satisfy all their hearts' desires but they have to keep in mind that whatever they do has to be subjected to judgement by God. Therefore, in enjoying and satisfying their desires, they must do it in a way pleasing to God and above all doing the will of the Father. Otherwise judgement awaits them. From the gospel let us reflect on these three aspects.

1. “The Son of Man Is to Be Handed Over”: The disciples of Jesus were amazed at his multiplication of loaves and fishes and the many healings he performed, but at this moment, Jesus intentionally diverted their attention away from his successes. Instead, for the second time, Jesus told them he would suffer and die. Still, it didn’t sink in. Human understanding is not always capable of grasping the ways of God. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways—oracle of the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, my thoughts higher than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:5-6). Jesus wanted the apostles to know that suffering fit into God’s plan, so he would tell them as often as they needed to hear it. When we are confused or seek discernment about the way God is working in our life, we need to persevere in prayer until we understand the message.

2. They Did Not Understand: The disciples did not understand, but they would eventually understand. Faith believes that what one does not currently see, one will see. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, on your own intelligence do not rely; In all your ways be mindful of him, and he will make straight your paths (Proverbs 3:5-6). Jesus told his disciples he would suffer so that when it came about, they would remember what he told them. When he was taken by the guards in the garden of Gethsemane, the apostles would recall Jesus’s words and be assured that, despite all appearances, God’s will was being done. 

3. Afraid to Ask: What would have happened had the apostles asked for more details? On other occasions, when they asked Jesus to explain something they did not understand, he spoke more plainly. When we’re confused by life’s circumstances, do we seek clarity from God? What keeps us from asking him to explain? God always wants to hear from us. We can trust him with our confused feelings, with our anger, with our sorrow. He is pleased when we come to him as dependent children, asking for clarity about what we don’t understand. 

Let us Pray

Dear  Lord, when life gets confusing, help me trust in you even though my understanding is limited. Increase my faith! Help me to confront my fears, to place them before you. Amen

Be blessed