“Jesus, we don’t know where you are going.” “Jesus, we don’t know the way.” “Jesus, we don’t know the Father.” Sometimes the disciples seemed just too dense to understand what Jesus was saying to them. But did they really lack the ability to understand his words? Perhaps, for all their apparent lack of comprehension, they were actually demonstrating something else: humility.

Consider that they had spent the last three years with Jesus. They had heard his public teaching and had him explain it to them in greater depth privately. They had even performed miracles in his name. Clearly, they were a chosen few. And yet they had to acknowledge, both in front of each other and Jesus, that they still didn’t understand. No wonder Jesus seemed exasperated!

But if the disciples’ slowness to understand exasperated Jesus, their desire to learn must have comforted him as well. After all, they could have pretended to understand. They could have acted as if they had it all together and were ready to shoulder the responsibilities Jesus was giving them. But evidently they took the gospel too seriously—and they considered Jesus’ love and his life too valuable—to play games with it. They wanted to get this right so that they could receive all that he promised and then give it away to others.

Do you believe that it comforts Jesus when we admit our weakness? Do you believe that he smiles when we confess our need? He wants us to come to him with open, trusting hearts. This is something we will never outgrow. There’s always more to learn and to experience. And Jesus is always ready—even eager—to take us under his wing and keep teaching us. So let’s come to his altar today with the humility and openness of his disciples. Let’s listen closely to his word and eat and drink eagerly of his life. We can never be too filled up with Jesus!

“Lord, I want to see your glory at Mass today—your majesty, your beauty, and your goodness. I know that I don’t see it as I ought, so I ask you to open my eyes. Jesus, let me see you!”

Questions for Reflection/Discussion by Catholic Men

1. In the first reading, we see that the Holy Spirit provided the Apostles with a creative solution to their time management problems, especially how to provide a time for their spiritual life in the midst of their busyness. In what ways do you struggle to find a daily time for prayer and Scripture reading in the midst of your busyness? How often do you ask the Lord to assist you? In order to get in a daily prayer time and Scripture reading, what creative solutions can you and the Holy Spirit come up with in order that you not neglect your spiritual life and the Word of God?
   
    
2. The responsorial psalm says that our praise and worship of God is “fitting.” What are some of the reasons the psalmist gives for this praise and worship? To what extent is your times of prayer devoted to “exult,” “praise,” and “give thanks” to God versus addressing your needs? How can you change this?
   
    
3. In the second reading, St. Peter says that we are to let ourselves “be built into a spiritual house” for God. What part do you think God wants you to be in his house? Between now and the next men’s group meeting, spend some time asking the Holy Spirit to let you know more clearly what part of the house you are to be and then share it with the men?
   
    
4. St. Peter also says we are to “announce the praises” of God who “called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” How have you experienced this in your life? How might your life announce the praises of God? In what ways are you still holding onto parts that are in the darkness?
   
    
5. The Gospel announces again: “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” Jesus is the answer to all of our concerns. He is “the way and the truth and the life.” How would you describe your relationship with Christ? What steps can you take to “know” Jesus and our Heavenly Father more deeply?
   
    
6. Today’s meditation encourages us to “eat and drink eagerly” of Jesus’ life, and it reminds us that we can “never be too filled up with Jesus!” What practical steps can you take this week to experience a deeper infilling of the life of Jesus in you? What are you willing to commit to?