A reflection on Luke 9:43b-45
Saturday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
©️2021 by Gloria M. Chang
The Second Prediction of the Passion
While they were all amazed at his every deed, he 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.
Luke 9:43b-45
A Discordant Note?
The ears of the disciples were ringing with praise from the crowds for their master and rabbi, Jesus of Nazareth, wonder worker and healer. Flocks of invalids regained their health, thousands feasted on five loaves and two fish, and Peter, James and John witnessed the blazing Transfiguration on the mountain.
“Let these words sink into your ears,” Jesus said, the literal translation behind the NABRE’s phrase, “Pay attention” (Luke 9:44).
“For the Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men.”
A discordant note in a symphony of praise, or the first note of a new movement?
With applause for Christ ringing in the ear,
Omens of betrayal the Twelve feared to hear.
Dark clouds hung about,
dampening their joy.
Good News of light
blocked from shining out.
He’d be handed over to men
who’d fulfill the prophet’s pen.
Perhaps only the Blessed Mother had an inkling of the glory of the Passion?
Dear GMC, your reflection teaches us that if we listen to Jesus out of fear we will fail to hear Him and miss His point entirely. But if we listen with ears tuned to love, self sacrifice and self giving we may not think we heard him right, but we did. When our heart and mind and actions are in the right place there no longer is a failure to communicate. Actually, there’s a thriving conversation and discipleship. Thank you, GMC, for helping me tune my ear to listen and learn and follow what He says!