Today’s short Gospel reading is from the same chapter of St. Luke’s Gospel in which we hear of Christ’s Transfiguration. Jesus had just revealed His divinity to Peter, James, and John; then, upon returning to the town, Jesus healed a boy who was possessed by a demon. Thus, the glory of these miraculous happenings was very much present in His disciples’ minds.

However, Jesus reminded them to not get carried away with the glamour of miracles: “Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.” At His words, they were filled with confusion and fear. The miracles that Christ had performed were intended to lead souls to Him, to help those in doubt to believe, and to increase the faith of all those who saw and heard. The Father had not yet revealed the fullness of the mystery of Christ’s Passion to the disciples, for Christ’s hour had not yet come. He was slowly preparing them for His Passion and Death, but they did not fully understand it yet. 

St. Cyril of Alexandria, a Doctor of the Church who lived in the 4th century A.D., wrote that the disciples’ confusion at Christ’s words was only natural: 

[T]here is nothing unlikely in supposing that the disciples would be troubled; and in their secret thoughts perhaps even say, How is One so glorious; Who raised the dead by His godlike power; Who rebuked the seas and the winds; Who by a word crushed Satan; how is He now seized as a prisoner, and caught in the snares of these murderers?” (Gospel of Luke Commentary, Sermon LIII)

However, Jesus kept reminding His disciples about His impending Passion and Death, not only to prepare them for it, but also to show them that it would not undermine His power at all. In St. John’s Gospel, Jesus said, “No man taketh [my life] from me: but I lay it down of [M]yself, and I have power to lay it down: and I have power to take it up again” (Jn 10:18 DRB). Thus, the disciples had no reason to become confused and frightened, but instead should have trusted in Jesus.

This is a lesson that speaks on a personal level to each human heart, for we all have been like the disciples countless times throughout our lives. When faced with a situation that seems impossible, we tend to lose hope and become frightened and confused, rather than placing all our trust in God. St. Cyril wrote that we must pray for the grace to understand the Word of God in Sacred Scripture, in order that we might be able to see the hand of God at work in every situation in our lives. May this be our prayer today and always as we strive to overcome fear and doubt, by the grace of God, and trust ever more in His mercy and wisdom.