Daily Thoughts: In our Gospel today we encounter Jesus
as teacher and a moment in his journey of teaching. The task of a teacher
is often a very difficult one, so was Jesus’ task as teacher. His
students were his disciples, were mostly women and men long past their
childhood. Most of them did not have much formal schooling. They
were not ideal students and teaching them was not always easy. There was
no classroom and there was none of our modern teaching equipment and
technology. The teaching of Jesus was often done in the open air and
subject to many distractions for the students. The teaching was often
done, as in our story today, while the group traveled on foot. Such
obstacles were frustrating for Jesus. He sometimes expressed his
frustration with his disciples, especially with their slow progress of
understanding, of believing.
On this journey through Galilee with his disciples, Jesus was a teacher. He explained the things that he wanted them to learn. For the second time he predicted his coming passion and death. Yet, once again his disciples didn’t understand what he meant, and they were afraid to ask any questions. They probably feared that any questions they might ask would reveal their failure to understand. And, of course, they did not want to be seen as ignorant by the other disciples. How little has changed over the centuries. How often have we had a teacher tell us: “If there is something you don’t understand, let me know.” And yet how often do we find that difficult because we fear to show our ignorance?
On this journey through Galilee with his disciples, Jesus was a teacher. He explained the things that he wanted them to learn. For the second time he predicted his coming passion and death. Yet, once again his disciples didn’t understand what he meant, and they were afraid to ask any questions. They probably feared that any questions they might ask would reveal their failure to understand. And, of course, they did not want to be seen as ignorant by the other disciples. How little has changed over the centuries. How often have we had a teacher tell us: “If there is something you don’t understand, let me know.” And yet how often do we find that difficult because we fear to show our ignorance?
In spite of these difficulties, Jesus continued his teaching. Even with
his disciples fearing to ask questions, he kept to his mission. Jesus had
all the characteristics of a good teacher. He excelled in patience and
kept repeating the most important lessons that he wanted his disciples to
learn. He also made good use of parables and stories to explain the
meaning of his teaching. Gradually the disciples came to learn and
understand the important lessons that Jesus wanted to teach them.
Today Jesus is still teaching us through the words of the Gospel. The most important teachings of Jesus are repeated often in the Gospel readings at Mass. All of us are encouraged to familiarize ourselves with the teachings of Jesus through our own reading of the Gospel stories. Sometimes we refer to those who read the scriptures often as students of the bible. All of us can be students in this sense. The more we read about the teachings of Jesus, the better we will understand them. And as we come to a better understanding of Christ’s teachings, we will become, like the disciples, true followers, true believers, in other words faith filled friends of Jesus.
Today Jesus is still teaching us through the words of the Gospel. The most important teachings of Jesus are repeated often in the Gospel readings at Mass. All of us are encouraged to familiarize ourselves with the teachings of Jesus through our own reading of the Gospel stories. Sometimes we refer to those who read the scriptures often as students of the bible. All of us can be students in this sense. The more we read about the teachings of Jesus, the better we will understand them. And as we come to a better understanding of Christ’s teachings, we will become, like the disciples, true followers, true believers, in other words faith filled friends of Jesus.
Have a great Tuesday everyone!
Daily Prayer: O God, in whom all things live, who
commanded us to seek you, who are always ready to be found: to know you is
life, to serve you is freedom, to praise you is our soul’s delight. We bless
you and adore you, we worship you and magnify you, we give thanks to you for
your great glory, though Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer by St. Augustine
of Hippo)
A Runner’s Thoughts: “Life is for participating, not for
spectating.” (Kathrine Switzer) So to
in the spiritual life…faith is for participating, not spectating!
Daily Blessing: Tuesday greetings and blessing to all.
I hope your Tuesday has started well. I think we are in for some rain today and
temperatures are going to be on the cool side once again. But hopefully it will
be a good day in many other ways and I pray the same will be true for you
wherever you are.
I am headed into Manhattan later this morning to do a little preparation
work for my Friday debut as host of the Sunday Mass. I am going to meet with
media coach in the hopes of finding my own TV persona and thus beginning a bit
more relaxed at my new ministry. It should be an interesting day!
My prayer
of blessing today is that your Tuesday has started off well and will continue
to be a good day. May God bless your work, your interactions with others, your
travels, your relationships and most importantly you today! Peace in Christ’s
Passion…Fr. Paul
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