Daily Readings - Wed Oct 03 2018
Job
1Then Job answered and said,2I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?3If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand.4He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered?5Which removeth the mountains, and they know not: which overturneth them in his anger.6Which shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble.7Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars.8Which alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea.9Which maketh Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south.10Which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number.11Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not.12Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou?14How much less shall I answer him, and choose out my words to reason with him?15Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer, but I would make supplication to my judge.16If I had called, and he had answered me; yet would I not believe that he had hearkened unto my voice.
Luke
57And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.58And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.59And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.60Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.61And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.62And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the relationship between humility, trust, and discipleship. In the first reading from Job, we encounter a man overwhelmed by the majesty and power of God. Job acknowledges that humanity cannot justify itself before God, for God’s ways are incomprehensible and His strength unmatched. He humbly recognizes that even if he were to try to argue his case, he would not fully understand God’s ways. This passage reminds us of the limits of human understanding and the importance of surrendering to God’s will with humility and trust.
In the Gospel, Jesus calls His disciples to radical commitment. He challenges them to prioritize the kingdom of God above all else, even over family obligations and personal comfort. The would-be followers in the Gospel are hesitant, tied down by worldly concerns, but Jesus insists that true discipleship requires letting go of such attachments. His words are stark: “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” This teaching underscores the need for unwavering focus and trust in following Christ, even when the path is difficult or uncertain.
Together, these readings call us to embrace humility and trust in our relationship with God. Like Job, we must acknowledge our limitations and surrender to God’s plan, even when it doesn’t make sense to us. Like the disciples, we are called to radical commitment, putting God’s will above our own desires and distractions. In our daily lives, this means letting go of the need to control everything and instead trusting in God’s providence. It means being willing to step out in faith, even when the road ahead is unclear. May we learn to trust in God’s goodness and follow Him with hearts fully surrendered.