"The Son of Man is going to be handed over into the power of men"
Luke 9: 44
In today’s gospel we see Jesus preparing His disciples for the future – a future which will bring Him rejection, suffering and finally death. Jesus is under no illusion about the suffering He has to face. This is a suffering, which cannot be avoided if He is to remain true to His mission. And so he willingly accepts it. He will allow himself to be handed over, trusting that his heavenly Father will be with Him in His forsakeness. In the garden of Gethsemane He will pray, ‘Father if it be possible take this cup of suffering away from me,yet, not my will but thine be done’ (Matt. 29:39)
God answers the prayer of His Son, not by saving Him from the passion, but by saving Him through it. The Resurrection will be the answer to that heartfelt plea in the Garden.
The disciples, especially Peter, can’t accept that their master should suffer. They want their Messiah to be strong; victorious; invincible. That is why Jesus has to speak to them often about the forthcoming passion. Even so it is only after the Resurrection, that the Apostles, enlightened by the Holy spirit understood that it is through His obedient acceptance of suffering and death that Jesus saved the world.
Prayer
Lord, you saved us through your Passion, Death and Resurrection. Help us to unite our suffering to yours, to take up our cross daily and follow you. Amen.