Tuesday, September 8, 2020
Comprehension
“Luke understands the events of Jesus’ last days in Jerusalem to be the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, but, as is usually the case in Luke-Acts, the author does not specify which Old Testament prophets he has in mind”. (Senior 133 cf.)
Many of us live much of our lives in this way: we do as God asks with the understanding that that we are fulfilling some needed action . . . without fully comprehending how our small part fits in with God’s great plan. Discipleship is characteristically vague in this way, asking us to rely in faith on God, asking us to rest in hope with God, asking us to act in love for God.
Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem . . .
Each time we feel God’s desire move through us we know that we are going up to Jerusalem.
The Son of Man will be handed over . . .
Each time we follow Christ we understand that we run the risk of being handed over to the scoffers, the naysayers, the plotters and the complacent.
He will be mocked and insulted and spat upon . . .
Each time we lament that disciple work is difficult we put aside the memory of Jesus’s last days.
After they have scourged him they will kill him . . .
Each time we die another small death we believe we have no more energy to move forward.
But on the third day he will rise . . .
Each time we think we are extinguished forever we rise in restoration and healing.
But they understood nothing of this . . .
Each time we try to explain the reasons for our outrageous hope we meet expressionless faces.
And the word remained hidden from them . . .
Each time we come up against the wall of incomprehension we must remember that even those who followed Jesus day to day did not fully understand . . . until Christ returned to them following the events of his Passion and death.
And they failed to comprehend what he said . . .
Each time we believe that we are lost we must remember that God always acts through inversion and so the lost will be found.
Each time we fall Christ is there – even though we do not comprehend.
Each time we suffer Christ is there – even though we do not understand.
Each time we die one of those many small deaths that mark our passing, Christ is there – even though we do not fully see.
Senior, Donald, ed. THE CATHOLIC STUDY BIBLE. New York, Oxford University Press, 1990.133. Print.
Enter the words Going Up to Jerusalem – A Prayer into the blog search bar and explore another reflection. To better understand the expression, enter the words Going Up to Jerusalem and visit the three-part post.
To read about Jerusalem Day and the crowds who pray at the southern wall of the Temple, click on the image above or go to: http://blog.friendlyplanet.com/2013/03/the-top-10-places-and-sites-to-visit-in-israel.html
The Noontimes 
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