The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to respond to the prompting of the Spirit that confirms the Presence of God in our daily lives.
In the reading from the Book of Job, he Is Humbled and Satisfied.
* [42:2–4] In his final speech, Job quotes God’s own words (see 38:2–3; 40:7).
* [42:5] In 19:25–27 Job had affirmed a hope to “see” (three times) his vindicator. Now he has seen the Lord about whom he had heard so much.
* [42:6] A difficult verse. Some doubt, in view of God’s commendation in v. 7, that Job does in fact express repentance, and alternative translations are often given. Along with v. 5, it describes a change in Job, which the encounter with the Lord has brought about. Dust and ashes: an ambiguous phrase. It can refer to the human condition (cf. Gn 18:27; Jb 30:19) or to Job’s ash heap (2:8).
[42:14] Job’s daughters had names symbolic of their charms: Jemimah, dove; Keziah, precious perfume (cf. Ps 45:9); Keren-happuch, cosmetic jar—more precisely, a container for a black powder used like modern mascara.
* [42:15] Ordinarily daughters did not inherit property unless there were no sons; cf. Nm 27:1–11. (Job, CHAPTER 42 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 119 praises the Glories of God’s Law.
* [Psalm 119] This Psalm, the longest by far in the Psalter, praises God for giving such splendid laws and instruction for people to live by. The author glorifies and thanks God for the Torah, prays for protection from sinners enraged by others’ fidelity to the law, laments the cost of obedience, delights in the law’s consolations, begs for wisdom to understand the precepts, and asks for the rewards of keeping them. (Psalms, PSALM 119 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus Rejoices after the Return of the Seventy.
* [10:18] I have observed Satan fall like lightning: the effect of the mission of the seventy-two is characterized by the Lucan Jesus as a symbolic fall of Satan. As the kingdom of God is gradually being established, evil in all its forms is being defeated; the dominion of Satan over humanity is at an end.
* [10:21] Revealed them to the childlike: a restatement of the theme announced in Lk 8:10: the mysteries of the kingdom are revealed to the disciples. See also note on Mt 11:25–27. (Luke, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB, n.d.)
Edward Morse comments that today’s gospel provides words of judgment and justice yet to come, words of correction aimed at those who have hardened their hearts despite witnesses from wondrous events.
Attitudes that are rightly ordered provide guidance on our journey, helping us to rise above challenges by disposing us to receive information we need from the world around us and guidance from the unseen work of the Spirit. We sometimes fail to embrace humility, wonder, and gratitude, which are so important to keep our hearts and minds open to the light. But God’s invitation remains open to us. Today, let us pause to listen, reflect, and go forth in wonder. “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts. Alleluia, alleluia.” (Morse, 2024)
Don Schwager quotes “The power of the Kingdom of God,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).
"He also gave the holy apostles power and might even to raise the dead, cleanse lepers, heal the sick, and by the laying on of hands to call down from heaven the Holy Spirit on anyone they wanted. He gave them power to bind and to loose people's sins. His words are 'I say to you, whatever you will bind on earth, will be bound in heaven (Matthew 18:18). Whatever you will loose on earth, will be loosed in heaven.' These are the things we see ourselves possessing. Blessed are our eyes and the eyes of those of all who love him. We have heard his wonderful teaching. He has given us the knowledge of God the Father, and he has shown him to us in his own nature. The things that were by Moses were only types and symbols. Christ has revealed the truth to us. He has taught us that not by blood and smoke, but rather by spiritual sacrifices, we must honor him who is spiritual, immaterial and above all understanding."(excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 67) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Job 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17 comments that, in a sense, Job is every one of us. We think we know, but life teaches us that we don’t. We think we can predict God’s actions, but time shows that we can’t. And it’s not because we aren’t holy enough. Even the great St. Paul, who saw the Lord in visions and heard his voice directly, confessed that we could only “see indistinctly, as in a mirror” (1 Corinthians 13:12).
It’s okay not to have all the answers—or any answer, for that matter. What matters is not how much you know but how much you trust your heavenly Father. He is the all-knowing God who holds you in the palm of his hand. He is the all-loving God who sent his Son to redeem you. Of course he will care for you! Even when you can’t see him or feel him or grasp his ways, he is right by your side, holding you in his love.
“Lord, help me to trust in you!” (Meditation on Job 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the transformation of Job to surrender as he realizes that God is beyond his understanding. The very material ending of the Book of Job suggests some different explanations. Friar Jude notes that Jesus praises God for the willingness of the disciples to take a risk to realize their gifts from God.
The reflection of Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, was not available at publication time.
We experience the Presence of God in our encounters with Love, Truth, Goodness and Nature and we rejoice as we live our Baptismal anointing as priest, prophet, and leader.
References
Job, CHAPTER 42 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 5, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/job/42?1
Luke, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 5, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/10?17
Meditation on Job 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved October 5, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/10/05/1097326/
Morse, E. (2024, October 4). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved October 5, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/100524.html
Psalms, PSALM 119 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 5, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/119?
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 5, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=oct5
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