First Reading: Zechariah 2:5-9, 14-15A
I, Zechariah, raised my eyes and looked: there was a man with a measuring line in his hand. I asked, “Where are you going?” He answered, “To measure Jerusalem, to see how great is its width and how great its length.” Then the angel who spoke with me advanced, and another angel came out to meet him and said to him, “Run, tell this to that young man: People will live in Jerusalem as though in open country, because of the multitude of men and beasts in her midst. But I will be for her an encircling wall of fire, says the LORD, and I will be the glory in her midst.” Sing and rejoice, O daughter Zion! See, I am coming to dwell among you, says the LORD. Many nations shall join themselves to the LORD on that day, and they shall be his people and he will dwell among you.
Responsorial Psalm: Jeremiah 31:10, 11-12AB, 13
The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock. Hear the word of the LORD, O nations, proclaim it on distant isles, and say: He who scattered Israel, now gathers them together, he guards them as a shepherd guards his flock. The LORD shall ransom Jacob, he shall redeem him from the hand of his conqueror. Shouting, they shall mount the heights of Zion, they shall come streaming to the LORD’s blessings. Then the virgins shall make merry and dance, and young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into joy, I will console and gladden them after their sorrows.
Gospel: Luke 9:43B-45
While they were all amazed at his every deed, Jesus said to his disciples, “Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.” But they did not understand this saying; its meaning was hidden from them so that they should not understand it, and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.
ESV
When reading today’s Gospel I can’t help but feel a little sorry for the Apostles. Why does Jesus make it so hard for them to understand His words? Why can’t He just come out and explain exactly what He means and tell them what is going to happen.
On the other hand, I could understand why Jesus may have kept the truth hidden from them. They were not yet prepared to fully understand Jesus’ meaning. They were not ready to know the truth. It had to be revealed to them in God’s timing.
How often this still takes place today! There are times when we may pray for certain things to happen (or not happen) and God does not answer us as we want. We question God and ask, “Why? Why is this happening?” Rarely is the answer given to us immediately.
Usually, it is not until much later down the road that we look back at the situation and see a clearer picture. We understand more fully or we see the benefits of the way things turned out.
It takes a lot of trust to be able to let go of the whys and have faith that God is in charge and knows what He is doing. We may only see a small portion of God’s plan but we know that God sees the bigger picture and how it all intertwines together.
When we are most in doubt, that is when we have to truly believe what the Psalm tells us, “The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock,” and, “I will turn their mourning into joy, I will console and gladden them after their sorrow.”
Our Lord is watching over us and protecting us. Even when life seems to be spiraling out of our control, we can be assured that He will hold us up and pull us through. We just need to trust in Him and follow his path.
Today, when you are struggling, whether it is something small or a heavy cross, lay your burden at Jesus’ feet and repeat, "Jesus, I trust in you."
Bobbi Rol is a wife, a mama of four and a blogger learning to love God in the midst of dishes, laundry and swinging light sabers. You can find out more about her here.
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