Twenty-Fifth Saturday of Ordinary Time

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.” 

We don’t always understand why our loved ones, or even ourselves, suffer trials and tribulations in our lives. If we do the right and good thing, shouldn’t we be rewarded for it? And so we doubt our faith and fear what might happen to us when faced with suffering. Our sufferings could be physical, emotional, social, or any other problem. However, we must not look upon our setbacks, failings, faults, weaknesses, illness, and other maladies as punishment from God or a proof that He doesn’t care about us. Instead, we should see these moments of pain as opportunities to unite ourselves with the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made for us on the cross. If he who was without sin choose to suffer and die for us sinners, then how much more should we be willing to suffer to share in his sacrifice.

Are we paying attention to God or are we focused on our sufferings? Are we willing to be handed over to whatever trials and tribulations might come our way? Do we unite ourselves with the sacrifice of Christ?

O Lord, we are listening to you and willing to be handed over to whatever sufferings you are asking us to undergo in imitation of your Son Jesus Christ.

Amen.