LENTEN READINGS AND REFLECTIONS

DAY 9

Reading: Mark 13:1-16:20

In yesterday's reflection I said that we must never be too self-possessed, too self confident or too proud to come to Jesus like blind Bartimeaus, laying out our desires and needs before him in full recognition of our utter dependence and with complete trust that he can do what we ask.

What I did not say is that sometimes, for reasons we often only learn later, God will say “no.”

God's “no” can be painful and difficult to understand.

Sometimes he chooses not to heal the body. Sometimes he allows sickness and sorrow to fester and deepen for years. Sometimes he lets his beloved children suffer death.

This was even true for Jesus. There are few biblical dramas more striking and poignant than Jesus in Gethsemane overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.

In his agony, he prays to the Father, pouring out his heart, there must be some other way.

We have all felt this.

Surely, Lord, there is a better path than the one you've called me to walk? Let there be another way.

Think about Jesus' prayer for only a moment and two things stand out. First, Jesus' prayer is the prayer of a righteous man. There is no sin in Christ to hinder his communion with the Father no interruption in their fellowship. Often when God says no we attribute it to our own sinfulness. And many times we are correct. When we rebel against God we impair our communication with him. He hears us always, but he will not bless disobedience. God will not give the blessing you seek when he knows you will misuse it.

But such was not the case with his Son. Jesus is the Holy One with clean hands and a pure heart. Certainly he would not misuse an answered prayer.

Second, Jesus' prayer was a prayer of faith. He believed that his Father could do what he asked, “Abba, Father, everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me.” We often pray with a certain amount of skepticism. Can God really do this thing? We have to work hard, sometimes out of duty, to really believe that what we pray for can come to pass if God so wills.

But Jesus is the Faithful One. His are always prayers of belief.

And yet despite all of this, the Father said “no”.

That is when the test of faith comes.

What do you do when the Father says no?

What did Jesus do?

Jesus said to his Father, “not my will, but your will be done.”

Can you say that?

In the face of his Father's “no” Jesus trusted his Father enough to say “yes” and bear the cross, knowing that the Father's will is always perfect in every way.

This was certainly true in Jesus' case. How can we even begin to assess the glory and the good that flow from the cross of Christ? Glory to God the Father and good the Son and to the World he died to save.

Without the cross there would be no salvation. And without the cross there would be no resurrection.

The Father knew this in the Garden when he told his Son “no”

And he knows it in your life too. God always answers your prayers perfectly. He always does what is best for you even when you don't.

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