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Do you remember your childhood game called hide & seek?
We played that game.
In Filipino culture, we call the game ” Tagu-an”.
The mechanics is simple.
All players must hide….
Warning: time alotted is unlimited….
A person called the It…
goes to a tree or brick wall…
chanting the game song
Counts at the end of the song….
1…2…3…
The It now finds all the hidden players.
As grown ups…
We have our own version of hide & seek.
There are times, we do not understand….
The reasons….
Or events in our lives…
Why it is happening to us?
The reasons…
As if…
kept hidden by God…
From us.
Why God?
Gospel today mentions apostles can not understand Jesus’ words.
The wisdom to understand Jesus was hidden…
On purpose…
From them…
Even the apostles were afraid.
Apostles are like you & me.
They feel fear.
At times, they don’t understand God’s plans.
Yes.
We at times feel that way.
Why God’s plans does not make sense to me?
It does not fit in with my plans.
God’s reasons are hidden from me.
God sometimes hide the reasons….
So we could trust Him more.
When we are in the middle of our trials…
We know someday all the pieces of the puzzle will come in place.
We will find the hidden reason…
Of our trials & pain….
Thru God’s wisdom….
On His set perfect time.
First reading is about Zechariah seeing angel with a ruler. God promises He will dwell with us.
God tells us He is our wall of fire.
First Reading ZECHARIAH 2:5-9, 14-15
And I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, a man with a measuring line in his hand! Then I said, “Where are you going?” And he said to me, “To measure Jerusalem, to see what is its breadth and what is its length.” And behold, the angel who talked with me came forward, and another angel came forward to meet him, and said to him, “Run, say to that young man, `Jerusalem shall be inhabited as villages without walls, because of the multitude of men and cattle in it. For I will be to her a wall of fire round about, says the LORD, and I will be the glory within her.'” Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion; for lo, I come and I will dwell in the midst of you, says the LORD. And many nations shall join themselves to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people; and I will dwell in the midst of you, and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you.
What do these verses mean to me?
● Zechariah was seeing angels in a vision
● I like that angels like math, they carry a ruler (measuring line)
● Angels are intelligent
“To measure Jerusalem, to see what is its breadth & what is its length.” – angel of God
● God promises prosperity for Jerusalem: increase in people & cattle
`Jerusalem shall be inhabited as villages without walls, because of the multitude of men & cattle in it. For I will be to her a wall of fire round about, says the LORD, and I will be the glory within her.'”
● God is our wall of fire & our glory
● God promises He will dwell with us
● Jesus born to the world is the fulfillment of that promise
Sing & rejoice, O daughter of Zion; for lo, I come & I will dwell in the midst of you, says the LORD. & many nations shall join themselves to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people; and I will dwell in the midst of you, and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you.
Gospel LUKE 9:43-45
And all were astonished at the majesty of God. But while they were all marveling at everything he did, he said to his disciples, “Let these words sink into your ears; for the Son of man is to be delivered into the hands of men.” But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, that they should not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.
What do these verses mean to me?
Luke 9:37-43:
A father asked Jesus to heal his possessed son.
Disciples can not expel the spirit.
● Jesus healed the boy
● All astonished by majesty of God thru Jesus’ work
● while everyone marveling….
Jesus said to his disciples
“Let these words sink into your ears; for the Son of man is to be delivered into the hands of men.”
Apostles
– did not understand
– concealed from them
– should not perceive it
– afraid to ask Jesus about it
Apostles are imperfect people.
Like you & me.
Afraid & can not understand what Jesus said.
What does this relate to Jesus?
Jesus was the disciples’ daily companion, yet at times…
Jesus does not make sense…
When we feel we do not understand God & his plans at times…
Remember, we are like the apostles.
It is okay if we do not understand Jesus, at times.
At times the reason is hidden.
God allows it.
Jesus wants to know….
Do we could trust Him?
when God’s plans does not make sense.
How much do we trust God when it does not make sense anymore?
If you trust God more than anything you believe in…
You have strong faith.
And that is what Jesus wants to see.
Faith in the impossible.
Thru the name of Jesus.
Why did Jesus have to mention his suffering in the middle of happiness of his disciples?
No sugar coat.
● Emotionally preparing them for His greater mission on the cross
● To be emotionally equipt continuing His work
Jesus saw the disciples to a certain extent, had less faith reflected on failure of healing the boy
But Jesus entrusted authority over demons.
● Disciples to have more faith in themselves for His mission
Drink Daily: God`s Word 