A reading from then gospel according to Luke 9:43B-45

43B While they were all amazed at his every deed, Jesus said to his disciples,
44 “Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.”
45 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.

Reflection: Hidden

Good News: People were amazed at every deed of Jesus.

In the gospel reading above, the people were amazed at every deed of Jesus and yet, they were afraid to ask something they don’t understand. When Jesus mentioned His suffering and death, Luke tells us that the meaning is hidden from the people. How could it possibly be hidden?

Jesus wants to unite us with our Father in heaven. He wants us to have an intimate relationship with Him. Hence, He revealed everything His disciples wanted to know. Yet, they still do not understand. One possible reason is because it was not easy for them to forget what has been taught to them about the nature of the Messiah that they have been waiting for. So they just brushed aside the question on why Jesus the Christ had to suffer and die.

In life, there are many things that we don’t understand. Unlike the disciples of Jesus, we should not be afraid to ask the Lord. He is after our savior and He wanted us to be His friends. In prayer, we can ask Him anything. Yet, we don’t rush Him to answer us in black and white. We just have to be patient. In due time, He will reveal to us the mysteries of our existence. But if it is hidden and remains a mystery, then it is not for us to know. Let us trust the divine wisdom. It knows what we need to know for our successful journey to the kingdom.

We continually pray for wisdom and enlightenment just as we continually pray for the grace to suffer with Him for the sake of the gospel. May we have the ears to pay attention to what He is telling us.

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This passage is packed with meaning about faith, confusion, and trust in God’s purpose, especially during moments of uncertainty.

Marveling at God’s Power
At this point, the disciples had witnessed many miracles. The people around them were marveling at Jesus’ power including His ability to heal, calm storms, and cast out demons. It’s natural that in the midst of such wonders, the disciples might have been caught up in the excitement, thinking that everything was progressing toward a glorious earthly kingdom. Yet, in this moment, Jesus shifts their focus to something more challenging: His upcoming suffering and death.

There’s a powerful lesson here: life isn’t always about the marvels and miracles. While God’s mighty acts can fill us with awe, there are also moments when His plans involve hardship, struggle, and pain. God’s purpose is not limited to moments of victory but also extends through times of suffering.

The Difficulty of Understanding
When Jesus spoke of His impending suffering, the disciples “did not understand what this meant.” It was a difficult concept to grasp. How could the Messiah, who had demonstrated such divine power, possibly be delivered into the hands of men? It didn’t align with their expectations.

In our own lives, we may also find ourselves facing situations that don’t align with what we expect from God. When we experience pain, loss, or challenges, it can be difficult to reconcile these with the idea of a loving and powerful God. Like the disciples, we may not understand what God is doing in the moment.

But this is where faith comes in. Even when we don’t fully grasp God’s plan, we are called to trust Him. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

Overcoming Fear to Seek God’s Wisdom
The passage also mentions that the disciples were “afraid to ask” Jesus about what He meant. Perhaps they feared looking foolish or didn’t want to face a hard truth. We often hesitate to bring our doubts and questions to God. Yet, He desires that we come to Him with everything — our confusion, fears, and uncertainties.

James 1:5 promises that if anyone lacks wisdom, they should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault. God is never offended by our questions; rather, He delights in guiding us through our doubts.

Embracing God’s Greater Purpose
Ultimately, the disciples’ confusion would later give way to understanding after Jesus’ resurrection. What seemed like defeat in the moment of His crucifixion was part of God’s greater plan for the salvation of the world.

When we face situations that confuse or trouble us, we can rest in the assurance that God sees the bigger picture. His purposes are always good, even when we don’t immediately understand them. Our role is to remain faithful, trust His plan, and seek His wisdom.

In times of uncertainty, may we always remember that God’s purpose is often revealed through the challenges we don’t yet understand. Trust Him, ask Him, and let His plan unfold in your life.