It is 26th September 2015. The readings are from Zech.2:1-5, 10-11a and the Gospel from Lk.9: 43b-45. In the first reading, God promises the people of Israel through the prophet Zechariah that God will be their wall and protection around Jerusalem. Human guarding cannot protect or save us. Many cities have fallen in the human history due to lack of protection from God. Human being cannot protect the other human being like God does it. God’s protection and shelter is incomparable and beyond comprehension. “I will be a wall of fire for Jerusalem all around it, and I will be the glory within it.” (Zech.2:5). God is protecting us indeed physically, and spiritually as a wall of fire. The responsorial verse prays, “The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.” (Jer. 31:10). The Gospel tells us that the mystery of suffering and death of Jesus is hidden in the eyes of the disciples. They were expecting Jesus to be the earthly king. So they did not heed the words of Jesus, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men.” (Lk.9:46). God can hide the spiritual meaning from our eyes when our eyes are fixed on the earthly things. We will not be able understand the mystery of suffering and sacrifice, when our minds and lives are focused on pleasure and mundane things. Are we too missing the suffering Jesus amidst the poor? May the Lord help us to understand the meaning of His passion and how it is related to our personal salvation. May the Lord bless you. Have a good day.