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.
*****
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.
*****
Life has a way of surprising us with moments of triumph followed quickly by lessons of humility. Picture a student who has just received the top award at graduation. The applause fills the room, and pride swells in his heart. But later that day, he overhears his parents quietly reminding him that the real test lies ahead: how he will live out his values when no one is watching, how he will carry responsibility when the cheering stops. In the same way, Jesus’ disciples once stood in awe of His greatness, yet in that very moment, He spoke about His coming suffering.
This tension between glory and sacrifice is at the heart of our faith. In a world that prizes recognition, power, and comfort, it can be difficult to embrace the idea that true greatness often comes through humility, service, and even suffering. Consider the doctor who chooses to work in a rural community where resources are limited. She could have stayed in a big city, earning more money and recognition, but she sees her mission in serving where she is needed most. Her reward is not the applause of people, but the quiet joy of knowing lives are being touched.
The disciples struggled to understand this paradox. How could the one they followed, the one who healed the sick and calmed storms, speak about rejection and death? Their confusion mirrors our own hesitation when life does not align with our expectations of success. Many of us imagine faith as a path to constant blessing, but we are challenged to see that God’s plan often includes difficulties that shape us more than victories ever could.
Think of an athlete preparing for a championship. Behind every medal is an unseen story of early mornings, exhausting workouts, strict diets, and sacrifices. To the crowd, the victory looks effortless, but the athlete knows the hidden cost. In the same way, the glory of Christ could not be separated from His suffering. The cross was not an accident; it was the road that led to eternal hope.
For us today, the question becomes: Are we willing to embrace both the joy and the cost of discipleship? It might mean standing for honesty in a workplace where corruption is rewarded. It might mean forgiving someone who has wronged us deeply, even when others say holding a grudge is justified. It might mean choosing time with family or service to community over chasing endless promotions. These choices rarely bring instant applause, but they align us with the heart of Christ.
Another modern example is the parent who quietly works two jobs to provide for their children’s education. There are no cameras recording their sacrifices, no trophies to display on the shelf. Yet their willingness to endure difficulty for the sake of love paints a picture of true greatness. In the eyes of the world, it may seem ordinary. In the eyes of God, it reflects the path of His Son, choosing love even when it costs much.
The disciples eventually understood this lesson, but only after walking with Jesus through His suffering and resurrection. And so it is with us: the meaning of sacrifice often becomes clearer only in hindsight. But faith invites us to trust even when we do not fully understand, to embrace the mystery that life’s deepest victories often wear the disguise of loss.
In the end, the call is not to seek suffering for its own sake, but to see it as part of a larger story. Just as the shadow of the cross gave way to the light of the resurrection, our trials can become seeds of transformation. When we choose to walk faithfully through both joy and challenge, we become living testimonies that true greatness is not measured by applause, but by love that endures to the end.
