“Then he gave them strict orders not to tell this anyone. He also said to them, ‘The Son of Man must suffer much…” (Lk 9:21, 22)

“Then he gave them strict orders not to tell this anyone. He also said to them, ‘The Son of Man must suffer much… but three days later he will be raised to life.’” (Lk 9:21, 22)

Today’s Passage: Lk 9:18-22

Meditation: We all know the context of the verse that it is just after the declaration of Peter about Jesus, “You are Messiah.”  (Lk 9:20) Why did Jesus then stop them from telling this truth to anyone? Humanly speaking, normally people like to be praised and exalted before others. But at the same time we find also Jesus after his resurrection sending his disciples ‘to proclaim him and God’s kingdom to all nations.’ (Lk 24:47) Is it not the same Jesus asking them today not to tell anyone that he is God’s messiah? In one sense yes, he is one and the same Jesus, but in another sense he is not the same Messiah. It is because of this difference that they were asked not to announce him as messiah before others. Bible scholars unanimously say that the idea of God’s Messiah Peter had at the time of proclamation was may be only of “a God’s anointed one” or “a political messiah.” The reason behind this is that they could see in Jesus through his miracles and wonders “a political messiah” who would liberate them from the roman domination. That is why ‘they tried to make him a king after the miracle of the feeding of five thousand people.’ (Jn 6:15) If this is the idea of God’s Messiah that the disciples are going to give to people, then the people will be misled. Therefore, Jesus wanted to correct their understanding of God’s Messiah to the real Messiah. He began to teach them, “The Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the teachers of the Law. He will be put to death, but three days later he will be raised to life.” (Lk 9:21, 22) We know that what happened at the foot of the cross of Jesus. “The army officer who was standing there in front of the cross saw how Jesus had died. ‘This man was really Son of God!’ he said.” (Mk 15:39) Have I really understood Jesus, the Son of God? Or do I have the same idea of Peter after the miracles and wonders of Jesus? The one who has not understood Jesus the crucified and resurrected cannot understand Jesus the Son of God; he seeks in his life only the wonder worker Jesus. Am I really equipped to proclaim Jesus, the Son of God?                                                            

 Prayer:    Lord God, we thank you and praise you for your daily eternal bread. O Jesus, I trust in you and in your everlasting forgiving love manifested on the cross. We are easily tempted to follow you who perform miracles and wonders for us than one who was crucified for us and our sins. How can we love the crosses and sufferings in our lives without loving you, the crucified one? O Holy Cross, we come to you with our own daily crosses, help us to love and bear them. Amen!                  

Greetings:  Take courage! God is with you! Have a nice and blissful Friday…