Daily Readings - Thu Oct 01 2020
Job
21Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends; for the hand of God hath touched me.22Why do ye persecute me as God, and are not satisfied with my flesh?23Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book!24That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever!25For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:26And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:27Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.
Luke
1After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.2Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.3Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.4Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.5And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.6And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.7And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.8And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:9And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.10But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,11Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.12But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.
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.