Reflect today on how well you understand both the sufferings of Jesus and yours

“Pay attention to what I'm telling you. The Son of man must be handed over to men ”. But they did not understand this saying; its meaning was hidden from them so that they would not understand it, and they were afraid to ask him about this saying. Luke 9: 44-45

So why the meaning of this "hidden from them?" Interesting. Here Jesus tells them to "pay attention to what I tell you". And then he begins to explain that he will suffer and die. But they didn't understand it. They didn't understand what he meant and “they were afraid to ask him about this saying”.

The truth is, Jesus was not offended by their lack of understanding. He realized they wouldn't understand immediately. But that didn't stop him from telling her anyway. Because? Because he knew they would understand in time. But, at the beginning, the Apostles listened with some confusion.

When did the Apostles understand? They understood once that the Holy Spirit descended upon them leading them into all the Truth. It took the works of the Holy Spirit to understand such profound mysteries.

The same goes for us. When we face the mystery of Jesus' sufferings and when we face the reality of suffering in our life or that of those we love, we can often be confused at first. It takes a gift of the Holy Spirit to open our minds to understanding. Suffering is very often inevitable. We all endure it. And if we don't allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives, suffering will lead us to confusion and despair. But if we allow the Holy Spirit to open our minds, we will begin to understand how God can work in us through our sufferings, just as he brought salvation to the world through the sufferings of Christ.

Reflect today on how well you understand both the sufferings of Jesus and yours. Do you allow the Holy Spirit to reveal the meaning and even the value of suffering to you? Say a prayer to the Holy Spirit asking for this grace and let God lead you into this profound mystery of our faith.

Lord, I know you suffered and died for my salvation. I know that my own suffering can take on a new meaning in Your Cross. Help me to see and understand this great mystery more fully and to find an even greater value in your Cross as well as in mine. Jesus I believe in you.