TOO DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND?

Have you understood anything in the readings we heard? It was from the Gospel of St. John, which is notorious for using complicated structures and words in presenting the good news. It is okay to admit we did not understand it. Even one of the disciples, named Judas (not the Iscariot) asks for a clarificatory question.    

A lot of things may be too difficult for us to understand. It may lead us to further trouble should we not admit it.

I remember one of our brothers who is fond of cooking and baking. He prepares cakes and other desserts for our community back in the formation house. One day, we asked him if he knows how to make a Cathedral Window Gelatin. Perhaps wanting to impress, he said "Yes." "Then make one for us" we replied. He spent his whole siesta time figuring out how to prepare the dessert. After our community outdoor recreation, everyone was excited about our snack. We would have something new for our palate. We would have a Cathedral Window Gelatin. We all proceeded to the refectory and to our amazement; we saw a jar on the table. We asked our chef-wannabe brother where the gelatin was. And he told us: The milk gelatin did not settle firmly. And so I made it into sago't gulaman. We end up drinking our Cathedral Window Gelatin. If only he said "no" and admitted he did know, others could have assisted him.

In the Acts of the Apostles (14:5-18), the people of Lystra did not understand how Paul and Barnabas healed the crippled man. They thought the gods have come down to them in human form. They called Barnabas "Zeus" and Paul "Hermes." And Paul instructed them of their being human just like them, and the existence of the Living God. Even with these words, they scarcely restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them. These people knew not how to say no, neither to admit they need enlightenment. How can we expect them then to walk towards the light; towards the true faith?

We must not fall into the temptation of forcing ourselves to understand the things we may not fully grasp. We might end up falsely attributing God's works in our life to our own credit or worse, to other gods we have made for our own. Learn to say no if you do not really know. Admission of ignorance can be the beginning of knowledge.

The good news is, Christ promised that He would send the Advocate who will teach us everything and remind us of all the things He told us. Thus, pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit that we may be enlightened by God to understand His will; that our hearts may be filled, and the fire of God's love may be kindled in us, and we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations.