Daily Readings - Thu Oct 04 2018
Job
21"Have pity on me, my friends, have pity, for the hand of God has struck me.22Why do you pursue me as God does? Will you never get enough of my flesh?23"Oh, that my words were recorded, that they were written on a scroll,24that they were inscribed with an iron tool on lead, or engraved in rock forever!25I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.26And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God;27I myself will see him with my own eyes-I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!
Luke
1After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go.2He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.3Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.4Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.5"When you enter a house, first say, 'Peace to this house.'6If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you.7Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.8"When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you.9Heal the sick who are there and tell them, 'The kingdom of God is near you.'10But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say,11'Even the dust of your town that sticks to our feet we wipe off against you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God is near.'12I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on faith, trust, and the call to mission. In the first reading from Job, we encounter a man deeply afflicted, yet unwavering in his belief in God’s justice and redemption. Job cries out for compassion from his friends, but more importantly, he expresses his unshakable hope in his Redeemer, who will one day raise him from the earth. This passage reminds us that even in the midst of suffering, faith can sustain us and lead us to trust in God’s ultimate plan.
In the Gospel, Jesus sends out seventy-two disciples to prepare the way for his coming. He instructs them to go forth with simplicity, trusting in God’s providence rather than relying on material possessions or worldly comforts. They are to bring peace, healing, and the message of the kingdom of God. This mission is not without challenge, as Jesus warns them of rejection, but he assures them that their efforts are not in vain. The kingdom of God will draw near, and even in rejection, the message of salvation remains.
These readings are deeply connected. Job’s faith in the midst of suffering mirrors the trust required of the disciples as they embark on their mission. Both remind us that following God’s will often involves embracing uncertainty and hardship. In our daily lives, we are called to be like Job, holding fast to hope even when circumstances seem overwhelming. We are also called to be like the disciples, sharing the Good News of God’s love with courage and simplicity. Let us ask ourselves: Do we trust in God’s plan for us? Are we willing to step out in faith, even when the path is uncertain? May we find strength in the example of Job and the mission of the disciples, and may we live each day with hope and purpose, knowing that God’s kingdom is near.