Hindi Mo Maintindihan

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/093017.cfm) reminds me that there are times when we will not immediately understand God's wisdom. 

We were trained to understand things. In school, even if you don’t necessarily memorize the formulas, if you understand its application, you’ll most probably be able to solve problems. After reading chapters and books, there are questions to see if we understood what was just read. We expect to understand lessons and concepts immediately for us to pass tests. However, in life, this is not always the case. 

Minsan hindi mo talaga agad mauunawaan ang karunungan ng Diyos. 

In the gospel, we see that even the disciples did not understand everytime what Jesus tells them. Even if they have been spending time with him and it was Jesus directly talking to them, they did not understand. Yes, it says that it’s meaning is hidden from them, but they did not even ask Jesus what he meant. We do not know if Jesus will explain it to them had they asked, but the fact is they did not ask.

How about us? What do we do when we don’t understand things that are happening to us?

We should have faith. God’s wisdom is different from ours. We may not understand things, but we just need to have faith in God, knowing he has the best intentions for us. Even if they did not understand what Jesus meant, they continued to spend time with him. They continued to follow him, and he continued to guide and protect them. 

We should also not be frustrated when we do not know or do not understand. Ganun talaga, may mga bagay na hindi natin ma iintindihan no matter hard we try to understand or make sense of it. What is important is we pray for an open heart and continue having faith. Like the disciples, we should wait on God’s perfect timing when he will reveal these things to us. The disciples did not understand these things, but when God sent the holy Spirit on Pentecost, their hearts and minds were opened and understood everything. All in God's perfect time and perfect way. 

May we never be frustrated when we don't understand God's plans and his wisdom, and have faith that in God’s perfect time and way, we will understand too.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another weekend. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I get angry or sad when I don't understand what is happening. Sorry for always wanting to know and be aware of your plans and your wisdom. Help me have faith. More faith. Lord, give me a heart that will continue to pray and trust you even if I do not understand a lot of things that are happening in my life. I know that in your perfect time and perfect way, I will understand these things. Amen.

Blessed weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

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September 30, 2017
Memorial of Saint Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church
Lectionary: 454

Reading 1ZEC 2:5-9, 14-15A

I, Zechariah, raised my eyes and looked:
there was a man with a measuring line in his hand.
I asked, "Where are you going?"
He answered, "To measure Jerusalem,
to see how great is its width and how great its length."

Then the angel who spoke with me advanced,
and another angel came out to meet him and said to him,
"Run, tell this to that young man:
People will live in Jerusalem as though in open country,
because of the multitude of men and beasts in her midst.
But I will be for her an encircling wall of fire, says the LORD,
and I will be the glory in her midst."

Sing and rejoice, O daughter Zion!
See, I am coming to dwell among you, says the LORD.
Many nations shall join themselves to the LORD on that day,
and they shall be his people and he will dwell among you.

Responsorial PsalmJEREMIAH 31:10, 11-12AB, 13

R. (see 10d) The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.
Hear the word of the LORD, O nations,
proclaim it on distant isles, and say:
He who scattered Israel, now gathers them together,
he guards them as a shepherd guards his flock.
R. The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.
The LORD shall ransom Jacob,
he shall redeem him from the hand of his conqueror.
Shouting, they shall mount the heights of Zion,
they shall come streaming to the LORD's blessings.
R. The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.
Then the virgins shall make merry and dance,
and young men and old as well.
I will turn their mourning into joy,
I will console and gladden them after their sorrows.
R. The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.

AlleluiaSEE 2 TM 1:10

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Our Savior Christ Jesus destroyed death
and brought life to light through the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GospelLK 9:43B-45

While they were all amazed at his every deed,
Jesus 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.