The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to assess our faith and trust in God and demonstrate our love in action to help those considered the least by our society.
The reading from the Book of Job presents an attack on Job’s Character as he loses property and children.
* [1:1] Uz: somewhere in Edom or Arabia; see Lam 4:21. Job: the name probably means “Where is the (divine) father?” In Hebrew it is almost a homonym with the word for “enemy” (see note on 13:24; cf. 33:10).
* [1:3] The East: that is, east of Palestine.
* [1:5] Cursed: lit., “blessed.” So also in v. 11; 2:5, 9.
* [1:6] Sons of God: members of the divine council; see Gn 6:1–4; Dt 32:8; Ps 82:1. The satan: lit., “adversary” (as in 1 Kgs 11:14). Here a member of the heavenly court, “the accuser” (Zec 3:1). In later biblical traditions this character will be developed as the devil (Gk. diabolos, “adversary”).
* [1:15] Sabeans: from southern Arabia.
* [1:17] Chaldeans: from southern Mesopotamia; in the mid-first millennium B.C., synonymous with “Babylonians.”
* [1:21] Go back there: to the earth; cf. Gn 2:7; see note on Sir 40:1. (Job, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 17 is a prayer for Deliverance from Persecutors.
* [Psalm 17] A lament of an individual unjustly attacked. Confident of being found innocent, the psalmist cries out for God’s just judgment (Ps 17:1–5) and requests divine help against enemies (Ps 17:6–9a). Those ravenous lions (Ps 17:9b–12) should be punished (Ps 17:13–14). The Psalm ends with a serene statement of praise (Ps 17:15). The Hebrew text of Ps 17:3–4, 14 is uncertain (Psalms, PSALM 17 | USCCB, n.d.)
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In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus defines true greatness and acknowledges another exorcist.
* [9:46–50] These two incidents focus on attitudes that are opposed to Christian discipleship: rivalry and intolerance of outsiders. (Luke, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB, n.d.)
Sr. Candice Tucci, O.S.F. urges that we must stay on course, be close to the WORD of God and be an inclusive Church for and within society being witnesses to the Gospel Way of Life.
Like Children not yet taught bigotry or biases, Jesus teaches us to be a welcoming world, without judgement of race, creed, culture, or identity. Without conviction of rich or poor, immigrant or established citizen. Imagine Jesus with a child from every race and color together on his lap!
“Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest.”
In the words of the Prophet Micha: May we, act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with our God. Amen (Tucci, 2024)
Don Schwager quotes “Jesus, the Physician of souls, amputates vainglory,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).
"The passion and lust of pride attacked some of the holy apostles. The mere argument about who of them was the greatest is the mark of an ambitious person, eager to stand at the head of the rest. Christ, who did not sleep, knows how to deliver. He saw this thought in the disciple's mind, springing up, in the words of Scripture (Hebrews 12:15), like some bitter plant. He saw the weeds, the work of the wicked sower. Before it grew up tall, struck its root down deep, grew strong, and took possession of the heart, he tears up the evil by the very root...
"In what way does the Physician of souls amputate pride’s passion? How does he deliver the beloved disciple from being the prey of the enemy and from a thing hateful to God and man? "He took a child," it says, "and set it by him." He made the event a means of benefiting both the holy apostles themselves and us their successors. This illness, as a rule, preys upon all those who are in any respect superior to other people".(excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 54.2) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Job 1:6-22 comments that God did allow the testing Job endured. But beyond merely allowing it, he used it to bring Job to a deeper relationship with him and greater wisdom in his life. We might find the same thing when we face suffering or setbacks. Difficulty does not “prove” God has withdrawn his love from us. Rather, it invites us to enter more deeply into a relationship with the One who sees and knows and loves us.
The Book of Job is a story that asks questions about unanswerable things. But the truth here is that God sees, knows, and loves us. He uses everything we experience—even our suffering—to deepen our relationship with him. And that relationship offers us all the healing and guidance we need.
“Lord, help me trust in your goodness and love!” (Meditation on Job 1:6-22, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler notes Job was a righteous man who offered sacrifice and did everything well. Satan in the role of investigator, prosecutor, or accuser questions what wealth and health Job is getting from his lifestyle. Friar Jude reminds us that Jesus determines importance in service of those who cannot repay us and urges us to accept those that are not against us are for us.
The reflection by Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, was not available at publication time.
When we have the opportunity to help and serve a child or someone who cannot repay our efforts we practice the Way of Jesus that is love for all God’s children.
References
Job, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 30, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/job/1?6
Luke, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 30, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/9?
Meditation on Job 1:6-22. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved September 30, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/09/30/1086998/
Psalms, PSALM 17 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 30, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/17?1
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Jesus Perceived the Thought of Their Hearts. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved September 30, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=sep30
Tucci, C. (2024, September 30). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved September 30, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/093024.html
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