Maybe we can excuse the disciples’s confusion in today’s gospel because they were in awe of the intense miracles they had recently seen Jesus perform, like the cleansing of a leper, the calming of the storm on a lake, or the exorcism of a demon. Not to mention the cure of a hemorrhaging woman, the raising of a daughter from the dead, and the feeding of five thousand people with just five loaves of bread and two fish. After witnessing so many overwhelming sights, they couldn’t begin to absorb yet another deep truth.

But Jesus told his disciples, “Pay attention to what I am telling you.” That admonition seems clear. Jesus wanted the disciples to listen intently to what he was about to say. But then the gospel tells us, “The meaning was hidden from them so that they should not understand it.” But why? Doesn’t that seem contradictory? Why would Jesus not want them to understand?

We know that Jesus summoned the twelve to proclaim the kingdom of God. He also previously predicted his death and resurrection. Having told the disciples once that he would suffer, die, and rise again, perhaps he was now testing them. Maybe the meaning of his words was hidden because he wanted to see who had listened to him the first time.

We all know what it takes to follow Jesus—his words to us are very clear. Despite this, how often do we obey him as we go about our busy lives? For instance, we know we are to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. But do we need to be reminded of that over and over again? No, it is our responsibility to hear Jesus’ words the first time and to live our lives in the way he instructed. And should I ever need an easy reminder, all I need to do is open the Bible and read the gospels.