Satisfaction and Rejoicing

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.

The Path of Presence

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 

Deliverance and Rejoicing

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to recognize the times of desolation on our journey even as we celebrate the joy and love that we have experienced as disciples of Jesus.

Rejoicing in Community

The reading from the Prophet Baruch offers encouragement for Israel.

* [4:5–5:9] The poet addresses the exiles (vv. 5–9a), and then Zion personified is introduced, speaking to the nations and mourning the loss of her children (vv. 9b–16). She then addresses the exiles (vv. 17–29). Finally (4:30–5:9) the poet issues three calls to Jerusalem (4:30, 36; 5:5): she will see her children returning (4:22, 36–37; 5:5). (Baruch, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 69 is a prayer for Deliverance from Persecution.

* [Psalm 69] A lament complaining of suffering in language both metaphorical (Ps 69:2–3, 15–16, the waters of chaos) and literal (Ps 69:4, 5, 9, 11–13, exhaustion, alienation from family and community, false accusation). In the second part the psalmist prays with special emphasis that the enemies be punished for all to see (Ps 69:23–29). Despite the pain, the psalmist does not lose hope that all be set right, and promises public praise (Ps 69:30–36). The Psalm, which depicts the suffering of the innocent just person vividly, is cited often by the New Testament especially in the passion accounts, e.g., Ps 69:5 in Jn 15:25; Ps 69:22 in Mk 15:23, 36 and parallels and in Jn 19:29. The Psalm prays not so much for personal vengeance as for public vindication of God’s justice. There was, at this time, no belief in an afterlife where such vindication could take place. Redress had to take place now, in the sight of all. (Psalms, PSALM 69, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus rejoices at 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, n.d.)

Nancy Shirley offers a reflection,on the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary, about the rosary.  It reminds us how the rosary has been an intricate part of many lives. 

It causes me to think of how I can put it back into my life in some ways that I have let lapsed.  Perhaps this rambling will cause others to think back to their very first rosary or one that was from a special place (I have some from the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, and Medjugorje that I have on display) and go find them, hold them, pray with them; look at them with new eyes and see the “jewels” that they are and the promise that they hold.

You may be as surprised as I was with who sings this beautiful song: Miracle of the Rosary .. (Shirley, 2023)

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 Luke 10:17-24 comments about Francis of Assisi, Faustina Kowalska, and Teresa of Ávila, all October saints (October 4, 5, and 15). They are all admired for their deep faith and wisdom, yet none of them were known as a mighty healer of the sick. And like Thérèse, they all suffered from painful illnesses with little relief. Yet they knew that their names were written in heaven, and that knowledge gave them confidence, peace, and joy, regardless of their health.

So yes, pray for miracles, for yourself and others. But don’t base your faith on the outcome. Instead, rejoice that your name is written in heaven. Rejoice that Jesus wants to bring you to his side—right next to all the saints!

“Jesus, thank you for the greatest of all gifts: the gift of heaven!” (Meditation on Luke 10:17-24, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler shares how Baruch asserts to the Babylonian exiles that the mercy of God is greater than the sinfulness for which they have been punished. The Gospel of Luke urges us to rejoice in our attachment to Christ which is deeply experienced in childlike trust. Friar Jude declares that we live in a blessed age of forgiveness, charity, and acceptance of difference in our midst.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces CAC teacher James Finley who offers a prayer for wholeness and healing.

Lord God, we thank you for the gift of the desire to be ever more clear and intimate in our awareness of your intimacy with us that’s sustaining us breath by breath by breath. We thank you for this.… We thank you for the desire not to break the thread of that connectedness with you as we go through the day, facing what we need to face, walking what we need to walk through.… We’re interiorly moved by your grace to reach out and touch the hurting places with love, that the suffering might dissolve in love, and to continue touching the hurting places with love until only love is left, and to be patient with this, and to be childlike, and to be open and faithful to this mysterious process in which we incarnate your healing presence in the midst of our lives. And we ask for this through your Son, Jesus. Amen. (Rohr, 2023)

We are grateful for the times of reconciliation that have renewed joy on our journey as the Spirit prompts us to love, compassion, and generosity.

References

Baruch, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 7, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/baruch/4?5 

Luke, CHAPTER 10. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved October 7, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/10?17 

Meditation on Luke 10:17-24. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved October 7, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/10/07/800336/ 

Psalms, PSALM 69. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved October 7, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/69?33 

Rohr, R. (2023, October 7). Wholeness and Healing: Weekly Summary — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved October 7, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/wholeness-and-healing-weekly-summary/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 7, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=oct7 

Shirley, N. (2023, October 7). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved October 7, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/100723.html