Confronting the Truth
Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
“He was teaching his disciples and telling them, ‘The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise’” (Mark 9:31)
Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
“He was teaching his disciples and telling them, ‘The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise’” (Mark 9:31)
Jesus’ prediction of his imminent death and resurrection is quite direct and clear, yet his disciples “did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him.”
If we place ourselves in their shoes, we can understand their dilemma. They had just seen Jesus transfigured on the mountain, revealing his divine identity. Suffering and being killed was not their expectation of the Messiah, nor of their rabbi and friend. They asked no more questions of Jesus because they were afraid of confronting the truth. Instead, it was better to escape to a less painful and delusional topic, “who was the greatest?”.
Have you ever been afraid to confront the truth? Maybe it’s the reality of an addiction, the health condition of a loved one, a son or daughter that needs correction, or a difficult situation at work? We have all been there, escaping, avoiding conflict and suffering, not wanting to deal with the truth. Yet we know that only “the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).
Jesus is the “the way, and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). He has given us the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, as our Advocate to help us in every situation. When we invite him in, we can ask the hard questions, seek his help and his timing. He will open our understanding to see the truth of a situation. He will give us the grace of sacrificial love, wisdom, courage, perseverance and unexplainable peace to see us through anything we face.
What are the painful or difficult situations in my life that I’m afraid to confront with the truth?
Lord, guide me with your truth and wisdom to courageously and lovingly address difficult situations in my life. Jesus, I trust in you! Amen.
Alicia Goodwin is the Director of the Marian Servants of Divine Providence®, a Public Association of the Faithful of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, and a community of Spirit-filled men and women guiding God’s people to healing, freedom and purpose in Christ through healing prayer, spiritual direction, and retreats. Their Cenacle of Our Lady of Divine Providence School of Spiritual Direction® offers certification for spiritual directors in association with Franciscan University of Steubenville. They are located at Our Lady of Divine Providence House of Prayer® by Old Tampa Bay in Clearwater, FL. where all are welcome to attend Masses, Adoration, and special speaker events. Alicia holds a Master's in Theological Studies from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, TX and a B.A. in Languages and Linguistics from Florida Atlantic University. She and her husband Lee have 3 children, 4 grandchildren and one adorable great grandchild. For more information on the Marian Servants please visit www.divineprovidence.org.
