September 26, 2015
Saturday
25th Week in Ordinary Time 1st Reading: Zec 2:5–9, 14–15a
Gospel: Lk 9:43b–45
While all were amazed at everything Jesus did, he said to his disciples, “Listen and remember what I tell you now: The Son of Man will be delivered into human hands.” But the disciples didn’t understand this sa-ying; something prevented them from grasping what he meant, and they were afraid to ask him about it.
D@iGITAL… EXPERIENCE
Daily Gospel in the Assimilated Life Experience
The miracles Jesus performed gradually developed in the disciples the idea that he was an extraordinary person. But Jesus kept contradicting this concept. He would talk now and then how he would suffer greatly in the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed. The disciples were confused. How can a performer of miracles be the subject of torture by mere human beings? They found this too hard to understand. The problem is they did not seek clarification.
Today’s Gospel tells us that something prevented them from grasping what Jesus meant when he was talking about being delivered into human hands. What was it? The Gospel further tells us that they were afraid to ask him about it. What were they afraid of? Reading beyond today’s Gospel reading we find out that instead of reflecting on the meaning of what Jesus had said about being delivered to human hands, they argued about who among them was the greatest. Their ambition was more important to them than the fate of their Master. Had they asked for clarifications, Jesus could have explained to them that the greatness that heaven recognizes can only be obtained while serving others, that superiority can only be achieved by suffering for others, and that being above the rest belongs to those who know how to bow low to wash another’s feet.
Human beings love to be great, and there is nothing wrong with it. After all we are called to greatness just as our heavenly Father is perfect. The problem is that our concept of greatness is sullied. As we get to the top we begin to think only of ourselves. Francis Bacon wrote in his Essays: “all rising to great place is by a winding stair”. Maybe this is the reason why people get too groggy in reaching the top that they can no longer remember others. They couldn’t even trace back their humble beginnings. Job is correct when he said, “Great men are not always wise” (Job 32:9).
Greatness sustained by God’s wisdom leads a person to bow low, ready to rise up only when it is time to climb the cross for others and for God. But not all would crave for this kind of greatness. The disciples didn’t. Would you? -Rev. Fr. Dan Domingo P. delos Angeles, Jr., DM., MAPM., Email: [email protected].
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