Daily Readings - Sat Oct 06 2018
Job
1Then Job, responding to the Lord, said:2I know that you are able to do all things, and that no thoughts are hidden from you3So, who is it that would disguise a lack of knowledge as counsel? Therefore, I have been speaking foolishly, about things whose measure exceeds my knowledge5By paying attention with the ear, I have heard you, but now my eye sees you6Therefore, I find myself reprehensible, and I will do penance in embers and ashes12And the Lord blessed the latter end of Job even more than his beginning. And he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand pairs of oxen, and a thousand she-donkeys13And he had seven sons and three daughters15And, in the whole world, there were not found women so beautiful as the daughters of Job. And so their father gave them an inheritance along with their brothers16But Job lived long after these events, for a hundred and forty years, and he saw his children, and his children’s children, all the way to the fourth generation,17and he died an old man and full of days.
Luke
17Then the seventy-two returned with gladness, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us, in your name.18And he said to them: "I was watching as Satan fell like lightning from heaven19Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and upon all the powers of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you20Yet truly, do not choose to rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.21In the same hour, he exulted in the Holy Spirit, and he said: "I confess to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the prudent, and have revealed them to little ones. It is so, Father, because this way was pleasing before you22All things have been delivered to me by my Father. And no one knows who the Son is, except the Father, and who the Father is, except the Son, and those to whom the Son has chosen to reveal him.23And turning to his disciples, he said: "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see24For I say to you, that many prophets and kings wanted to see the things that you see, and they did not see them, and to hear the things that you hear, and they did not hear them.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on humility and our relationship with God. The first reading from Job brings us to the culmination of his story, where, after enduring immense suffering and questioning God's ways, Job humbly acknowledges the limits of his understanding. He recognizes God's omnipotence and repents, leading to his restoration and blessings. This passage underscores the theme of humility and trust in divine providence.
The Gospel from Luke presents a different yet complementary scene. The seventy-two disciples return elated from their missionary work, having successfully cast out demons. Jesus, while affirming their efforts, redirects their focus. He cautions them against rejoicing in their power over spirits and instead points them to the greater joy of having their names written in heaven. Jesus then praises the Father for revealing divine truths to the humble, emphasizing that spiritual understanding is a gift granted to those who approach with a humble heart.
These readings converge on the theme of humility as the foundation for a deeper relationship with God. Job's humility leads to restoration, while the disciples' humility opens them to the true nature of God's revelation. In our daily lives, we are called to embrace humility, recognizing that true joy and understanding come not from earthly successes or power, but from a humble and trusting relationship with God. Let us, like Job and the disciples, approach life with humility, allowing God to reveal His truths and guide us on our journey.