October 3, 2018
26th Wednesday in Ordinary Time
Job 9:1-12, 14-16; Luke 9:57-62
Brought face-to-face with his human vulnerability, deprived of his children and his hopes for the future, belittled and criticized by his friends, Job attempted to put into words the deepest longings of his soul. Deprived of his health and of everything that gave meaning to his life, he could only cling to the one thing that would not pass away. When Job spoke to his friends, he never questioned God’s justice and majesty. In all his misery, Job counted on God’s justice and mercy. In the presence of the Holy One, he knew himself a sinner in need of forgiveness. Worn down by grief and human frailty, Job submitted to the wisdom and care of God. Like Job, we are unfit to judge God because we do not know His plans nor do we know His designs. We are weak human beings, subject to the One who acts with power whom no mortal being can resist.
The author of the Book of Job presents us with a man of sorrows who professes his devotion to God while he sits upon the ash heap of his life. As he grovels in dust and ashes and ponders his condition, his body is feverish with pain, his heart is weighed down with grief and his mind is overwhelmed with unsympathetic and judgmental discourses. In the midst of his agony and grief, this man of faith makes a marvelous utterance. “I know that my redeemer lives, and at the end he will stand with me on this dust heap” (CF Jb 19:25). He is an example for each of us. He clung fast to his faith in a situation that seemed totally empty of God. He sat on his ash heap and saw God sitting with him. Think of it, Job clung to his redeemer, when all evidence suggested that God did not exist and if he did, he did not care for him. In our times of sorrow and pain, do we stare at the ashes of our lives, or do we raise up our eyes to heights, gazing upon him who was lifted up for our salvation (CF. Ps. 121:1)?
Faith in Christ transforms us. When we set our gaze upon the Crucified Lord, we are made rich by Him who became poor for our sakes. Standing in the shadow of the Cross, we are washed clean of sin and find a resting place in Him.
Anima Christi – Soul of Christ
Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O Good Jesus, hear me.
Within your wounds hide me.
Permit me not to be separated from you.
Comments are closed.