Every once in a while, it’s interesting to ponder certain passages from the Bible that, at first reading, seem mysterious.

Sometimes, they remain that way no matter how many times one reads the words.

Take Luke 2:35: “And a sword will pierce your own soul too — so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.”

What exactly did Simeon mean by this? What were the “secret thoughts”? Did it have to do with evil in the minds of so many — exposing the darkness of this world? Or the desires and designs of those who wanted Him crucified?

As He walked to Calvary, we note Jesus turning to the women and saying, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me; weep rather for yourselves and for your children” (Luke 23:28-31). “For if men use the green wood like this, what will happen when it is dry?”

That’s another passage with a bit of enigma.

Could one interpret the passage as referring, among other things, to the unborn? Might they be seen as the “green wood”? Perhaps not. Perhaps Jesus was simply saying that if He who was completing His holiest of missions could be treated in such a way, what about regular humans. For the sake of meditation, consider the idea that the unborn are involved. If applied to our own age, could the “dry” (old) wood be a warning that a society that kills its youngest (abortion) will soon also kill its oldest (euthanasia)?

Are we not already seeing this happen?

Prayer urgency.

Many ways to interpret certain passages from Scripture.

And Jesus’s Voice, in our own time?

“Do not search for security in the world you inhabit,” a woman who believes she “heard” Him say (let’s call it inspired thoughts compiled into a book that the least offers us a good meditation). “You tend to make mental checklists of things you need to do in order to gain control of your life. If only you could check everything off your list, you could relax and be at peace.

“But the more you work to accomplish that goal, the more things crop up on your list. The harder you try, the more frustrated you become.

“There is a better way to find security in this life.

“Instead of scrutinizing your checklist, focus your attention on My Presence with you. This continual contact with Me will keep you in My Peace. Moreover, I will help you sort out what is important and what is not, what needs to be done now and what does not. Fix your eyes not on what is seen (your circumstances), but on what is unseen (My Presence).

“Come to Me for all that you need.”

That’s the way we avoid profound mistakes (tragedies) like abortion — by relying on Jesus, not on the minds of men.

“Trust Me in the depths of your being,” He says. “It is there that I live in constant communication with you. Slow down your pace of living for a time. Quiet your mind in My Presence. Then you will be able to hear Me bestowing the Resurrection blessing: Peace be with you.”

A “resurrection blessing.”

Keep that in mind this Lent!

[resources: books of devotion and inspiration]