September 26, 2020

Lk 9: 43B-45

And all were astounded at the greatness of God. 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.

New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.

A God we don’t always understand

At several points in the Gospels, Jesus tells his disciples something that they do not yet understand.  While the disciples eventually do come to know what Jesus meant by “the Son of Man will be handed over to men,” there are things about God and God’s ways that can seem equally confusing today.  

One has only to follow the news to see immense heartbreak and pain caused by war, hurricanes, the pandemic, and division between people.  It can be easy to ask God why these things are allowed to happen.  The answer is that our world isn’t perfect, and true peace only comes from God.  Jesus asked to be spared the cross because, even though he knew it was his father’s will, he preferred to avoid the suffering.  God could obviously have intervened and kept his son from being handed over, but God instead chose to give each of us the unimaginable gift of eternal life with him.  

—The Jesuit Prayer team

Prayer

Good and gracious God, we know that our ways are not always your ways, and that we may not clearly see where you are working in our world.  But, despite this, we trust that you are in fact in our midst, inviting us to co-labor with you to bring about a more just and peaceful society.  Strengthen our relationship with you each day so that we may more closely follow your path. Amen. 

—The Jesuit Prayer team