Afraid to Ask

Friday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 Ecclesiastes 3:1-11

There is an appointed time for everything,
and a time for every thing under the heavens.
A time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant.
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to tear down, and a time to build.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them;
a time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces.
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away.
A time to rend, and a time to sew;
a time to be silent, and a time to speak.
A time to love, and a time to hate;
a time of war, and a time of peace.

What advantage has the worker from his toil?
I have considered the task that God has appointed
for the sons of men to be busied about.
He has made everything appropriate to its time,
and has put the timeless into their hearts,
without man’s ever discovering,
from beginning to end, the work which God has done.
 

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 144:1b and 2abc, 3-4

R. (1) Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!
Blessed be the LORD, my rock,
my mercy and my fortress,
my stronghold, my deliverer,
My shield, in whom I trust.
R. Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!
LORD, what is man, that you notice him;
the son of man, that you take thought of him?
Man is like a breath;
his days, like a passing shadow.
R. Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!
 

Alleluia Mark 10:45

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Son of Man came to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
 

Gospel Luke 9:18-22

Once when Jesus was praying in solitude,
and the disciples were with him,
he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”
They said in reply, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah;
still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.’”
Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Peter said in reply, “The Christ of God.”
He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone.

He said, “The Son of Man must suffer greatly
and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed and on the third day be raised.”
 

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Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Afraid to Ask

September 26, 2026 // Saturday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time // Optional Memorial of Saints Cosmas and Damian, Martyrs

Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: Luke 9:43b-45 

Reflect on the Word // 

My friend’s tone was somber: “Listen, I have some important news.”  She had supported me through the darkest days of my grief and had proven to be the best of friends. Her words were clear, yet I could hardly comprehend what I was hearing. I intuited that her life was about to change and wondered what that meant for me, for our friendship. I had so many questions, but I was afraid to ask.

Similarly, when Jesus says to His disciples, “Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men” (Luke 9:44), they fail to understand the meaning of His words, but are afraid to ask. I wonder, Am I like the disciples who marveled at all His deeds, yet were afraid to admit they didn’t understand the meaning of His words? Do I sense there might be suffering involved regarding something He has spoken to me, so I avoid asking? 

As I ponder the passage, Jesus invites me to remember promises He spoke to me and a painful event that followed. I ask about the meaning of what He had said.  He reassures me that He is still at work and will keep His promise to me, and that I can ask Him anything, trusting without reservation. 

Sister, there is nothing we cannot bring to Jesus. No question is off limits. Even our most deeply hidden doubts and fears lose their power over us in light of His love and grace. As certainly as Jesus died on the Cross and rose again three days later, He will complete the Father’s good work in us. We need not be afraid to ask. 

Relate to the Lord // What questions have you been afraid to ask Jesus? Visit Him in the Eucharist– in the tabernacle or an adoration chapel–and talk to Him.

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