Daily Readings - Thu Oct 01 2020
Job
21Have mercy on me, have compassion on me, at least you my friends, because the hand of the Lord has touched me22Why do you pursue me just as God does, and satiate yourselves with my flesh23Who will grant to me that my words may be written down? Who will grant to me that they may be inscribed in a book24with an iron pen and a plate of lead, or else be carved in stone25For I know that my Redeemer lives, and on the last day I will rise out of the earth26And I will be enveloped again with my skin, and in my flesh I will see my God27It is he whom I myself will see, and he whom my eyes will behold, and no other. This, my hope, has taken rest in my bosom
Luke
1Then, after these things, the Lord also designated another seventy-two. And he sent them in pairs before his face, into every city and place where he was to arrive2And he said to them: "Certainly the harvest is great, but the workers are few. Therefore, ask the Lord of the harvest to send workers into his harvest3Go forth. Behold, I send you out like lambs among wolves4Do not choose to carry a purse, nor provisions, nor shoes; and you shall greet no one along the way5Into whatever house you will have entered, first say, ‘Peace to this house.6And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you7And remain in the same house, eating and drinking the things that are with them. For the worker is worthy of his pay. Do not choose to pass from house to house8And into whatever city you have entered and they have received you, eat what they set before you9And cure the sick who are in that place, and proclaim to them, ‘The kingdom of God has drawn near to you.10But into whatever city you have entered and they have not received you, going out into its main streets, say11‘Even the dust which clings to us from your city, we wipe away against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has drawn near.12I say to you, that in that day, Sodom will be forgiven more than that city will be
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound expressions of faith and trust in God. The first reading from Job 19:21-27 presents Job in the depths of suffering, crying out for mercy and compassion. Despite feeling abandoned by friends and pursued by God, Job clings to his faith, declaring his hope in a Redeemer who will one day rise. His words resonate with unwavering trust, even in the face of immense pain, as he looks forward to the day he will see God.
The Gospel from Luke 10:1-12 shifts our focus to Jesus sending out 72 disciples, preparing them for their mission. Jesus equips them with a message of peace and the authority to heal, yet warns them of the challenges they will face. He instructs them to travel lightly, relying on the hospitality of others, and to move on if they are not received well. This mission calls for radical trust in God's providence, emphasizing that their worth is not measured by acceptance but by their fidelity to the task.
Both readings invite us to reflect on our own faith journey. Like Job, we may face trials that test our trust in God, yet his example encourages us to hold fast to hope. Like the disciples, we are called to share God's message with courage, trusting in His provision. In our daily lives, this means embracing challenges with faith, trusting in God's plan, and being open to serve others with humility and perseverance. May we, like Job and the disciples, find strength in our faith, trusting that God's presence guides us through all circumstances.