Daily Readings - Wed Nov 02 2022
Job
1Then Job answered and said,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.
John
23And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.24Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.25He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.26If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound reflections on suffering, hope, and redemption. The first reading from Job presents a man in the depths of anguish, yet unwavering in his faith. Job, despite his immense suffering, declares his trust in a Redeemer who will one day vindicate him. His words are a testament to the enduring power of hope, even in the darkest of times. The Gospel from John shifts our focus to Jesus, who speaks of the necessity of self-sacrifice. Using the metaphor of the grain of wheat, Jesus teaches that true life comes through death to self, emphasizing that those who follow him must embrace this path of service and surrender.
These readings, though separated by centuries, are deeply connected. Job's hope for a Redeemer finds its fulfillment in Jesus, who through his own death and resurrection, reveals the ultimate act of self-giving love. Both readings invite us to reflect on the paradox of suffering and its role in our spiritual journey. Job's faith in the face of adversity and Jesus' call to self-denial remind us that our struggles, when embraced with trust in God, can lead to transformation and new life.
In our daily lives, these teachings challenge us to reevaluate our approach to suffering and self-interest. Like Job, we are called to hold fast to hope, even when our circumstances seem insurmountable. Like Jesus, we are invited to let go of our attachment to worldly comfort and instead embrace lives of service and love. The moral lesson here is clear: true freedom and fulfillment are found not in avoiding suffering, but in surrendering to God's will and trusting in his plan. Let us, therefore, approach each day with courage, ready to embrace the crosses we bear, knowing that through them, we may bear fruit that endures.