26-09-2026, Saturday of Twenty Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Eccl 11:9–12:8; Ps 90: 3-6, 12-14, 17; Lk 9: 43-45
The Gospel passage follows, just moments after the crowds are gripped by absolute awe, marveling at the magnificence of God displayed through Jesus’ miraculous power. Yet, precisely at the peak of this public triumph, Jesus pulls His disciples aside to issue a sobering, jarring counter-prophecy: “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men”. Instead of an earthly kingdom of glory and political conquest, Jesus points straight toward betrayal, suffering, and the cross. Jesus knew He would be Paradidosthai (παραδίδοσθαι – To be handed over / Betrayed). This shows His death wasn’t an accident—it was part of God’s plan to save us.
Luke notes that the disciples not only failed to understand, but that the meaning was “concealed from them”, leaving them gripped by a quiet dread, “afraid to ask him about this saying”. They preferred the safety of their grand illusions to the terrifying reality of a suffering Saviour. The disciples were Ephobounto (ἐφοβοῦντο – Afraid / Filled with fear). They didn’t want to hear about suffering, and they were too intimidated to ask Jesus to explain. Their fear (phobos) was twofold: a dread of what the words actually implied about suffering, and an intimidating reverence that stopped them from seeking clarification from the Master.
Insights from the Church Fathers
“The Lord foretells His passion frequently, so that when it comes to pass, it might not perturb them unexpectedly. But the disciples, full of carnal thoughts concerning an earthly kingdom, could not fathom how the glory of the majesty of God could be subjected to the hands of men. Therefore, the text says it was hidden from them, not by a malicious decree, but by the limitation of their own carnal capacity.” – Saint Bede the Venerable
Insights from the Carmelites
“Do not think that to follow Christ is to walk in continuous consolations. No, the Lord has shown us His path, and it is paved with trials and the cross. Those who love Him truly will embrace both His sweet consolations and His bitter chalices, knowing that to walk with Him means learning the deep language of sacrifice.” – Saint Teresa of Avila
“The soul that desires to attain to union with God must not only be cleansed of worldly attachments, but it must pass through the dark night of the intellect and will. Just as the disciples were afraid to peer into the mystery of the cross because it contradicted their human desires, the soul must strip away its own concepts of how God should work, entering the obscurity of faith where God alone becomes the guide.” – Saint John of the Cross
Insights for Us
How often do we behave precisely like the disciples? We love the emotional highs, answered prayers, visible blessings, and signs of God’s manifest power. Yet, when God invites us into the necessary seasons of self-denial, trial, or the carrying of daily crosses, we prefer to block our ears. This passage challenges us to stop running from the “hard sayings” of Christ. True discipleship requires moving past the superficial addiction to spiritual highs and embracing the Paschal Mystery, through the surrender of our self-will.
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