Daily Readings - Mon Sep 28 2020
Job
6Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them.7The LORD said to Satan, "From where have you come?" Satan answered the LORD and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it."8And the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?"9Then Satan answered the LORD and said, "Does Job fear God for no reason?10Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.11But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face."12And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand." So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.13Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house,14and there came a messenger to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them,15and the Sabeans fell upon them and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you."16While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, "The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you."17While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, "The Chaldeans formed three groups and made a raid on the camels and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you."18While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, "Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house,19and behold, a great wind came across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you."20Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped.21And he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."22In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.
Luke
46An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest.47But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side48and said to them, "Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great."49John answered, "Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us."50But Jesus said to him, "Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful lessons about humility and faith. The first reading from the Book of Job presents us with a man who faces unimaginable suffering—losing his children, his possessions, and his health. Yet, in the midst of such tragedy, Job does not curse God but instead humbly acknowledges God’s sovereignty, saying, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” This passage reminds us that true faith is not about understanding or controlling life’s difficulties but about trusting in God’s providence, even when the road is dark and uncertain.
The Gospel reading from Luke offers a complementary teaching on humility. Jesus, perceiving the disciples’ argument about who is the greatest, uses a child as a symbol of true greatness. He teaches that to welcome a child in his name is to welcome him, and by extension, the Father who sent him. This lesson challenges us to let go of our pride and ambition, embracing instead a spirit of service and openness. Jesus further emphasizes this by telling the disciples not to prohibit someone from working in his name simply because they are not part of their group. This is a call to inclusivity and to recognize that God’s work is not limited to our narrow circles.
Both readings invite us to reflect on our own lives. Like Job, we may face trials that test our faith, but we are called to respond with humility and trust. Like the disciples, we may struggle with pride or exclusivity, but Jesus shows us that true greatness lies in humility and openness. Let us ask ourselves: Do we trust God even when we do not understand? Do we welcome others, even those who may seem different or outside our comfort zone? May we learn to embrace the humility and faith that lead us closer to God and to one another.