Daily Readings - Fri Sep 30 2022
Job
12Did you, after your birth, command the birth of the sun and show the sunrise its place13And did you hold the extremities of the earth, shaking them, and have you shaken the impious out of it14The seal will be restored like clay, and it will remain in place like a garment15From the impious, the light will be taken away, and the exalted arm will be broken16Have you entered the depths of the sea, and have you taken a walk in the uttermost parts of the abyss17Have the gates of death been opened to you, and have you seen the doors of darkness18Have you considered the breadth of the earth? If you know all things, reveal them to me19Which is the way that holds the light, and which is the place of darkness20In this way, you might lead each thing to its final place, and understand the paths of its house21So then, did you know when you were to be born? And did you know the number of your days
Luke
13Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that have been wrought in you, had been wrought in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in haircloth and ashes14Yet truly, Tyre and Sidon will be forgiven more in the judgment than you will be15And as for you, Capernaum, who would be exalted even up to Heaven: you shall be submerged into Hell16Whoever hears you, hears me. And whoever despises you, despises me. And whoever despises me, despises him who sent me.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of humility, accountability, and the call to repentance. In the first reading from the Book of Job, we encounter a dramatic moment in which God speaks to Job, challenging him with a series of rhetorical questions that underscore the vastness of divine wisdom and power. Job, who has endured immense suffering and questioned God’s justice, is brought to a place of profound humility. He acknowledges his own limitations and the mystery of God’s ways, saying, “What could I possibly answer, since I have been speaking thoughtlessly? I will place my hand over my mouth.” This moment marks a turning point for Job, as he learns to trust in God’s providence without fully understanding it.
In the Gospel, Jesus addresses the towns of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum, reproaching them for their lack of repentance despite the miracles He performed in their midst. He warns them that on the day of judgment, the pagan cities of Tyre and Sidon, which were not given such gifts, will fare better than they will. This passage emphasizes the gravity of spiritual complacency and the importance of responding to God’s grace with humility and conversion. Jesus’ words remind us that the greater the blessings we receive, the greater our responsibility to use them well.
These readings are deeply connected. Both Job and the towns in the Gospel are called to recognize the gifts they have been given and to respond with humility and faith. Job’s story teaches us that true wisdom lies in acknowledging our own limitations and trusting in God’s plan, even when we cannot fully understand it. The Gospel, on the other hand, challenges us to examine how we respond to the blessings and opportunities God has given us. Do we take them for granted, or do we allow them to transform us and lead us to repentance?
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How do we respond to the gifts and challenges in our own lives? Do we approach them with humility and gratitude, or with pride and indifference? Let us learn from Job’s example, placing our hands over our mouths when we are tempted to question God’s ways, and instead, seek to trust in His providence. And let us heed Jesus’ warning, recognizing that the blessings we receive bring not only joy but also a call to conversion and fidelity. May we strive to live with humility, gratitude, and a deep commitment to following God’s will in our daily lives.