Pondering Our Mortality

 Luke 9 43-45

Jesus Predicts His Death a Second Time

⁴³ And they were all amazed at the greatness of God.

While everyone was marveling at all that Jesus did, he said to his disciples, ⁴⁴ “Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.” ⁴⁵ But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.

Death is inevitable for all of us, but it's something we naturally try to avoid talking about. The Disciples were no different, and hearing this prediction for the second time, they were even more reticent to ask about it.  Who wants to hear beforehand of the impending death of a beloved friend? No, if we can avoid it by not thinking  or talking about it, we will.  Jesus was trying to prepare his followers for the inevitable, the reason why he came into this world, but they stuffed their ears and hearts to avoid it, even after being witnesses to months of his teachings and healings.  They were slow learners as are we all.  However, Jesus, lovingly, patiently, gently stays with us, prompting us with hints of the reality, that even as he had to accept death, so must we.  A good thought as we go about our Saturday chores, even our daily prayer throughout the week.  On Ash Wednesday we hear:  "Remember, you are dust and to dust you shall return."  A truth which helps us keep a healthy perspective and balance in our thinking and living. Today is a good day to begin incorporating this into our prayer, if we haven't done so already.

Bro. Rene