Daily Readings - Mon Sep 28 2020
Job
6One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them.7The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it."8Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil."9"Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied.10"Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land.11But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face."12The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger." Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.13One day when Job's sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house,14a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby,15and the Sabeans attacked and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"16While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"17While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"18While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, "Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house,19when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"20At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship21and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."22In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.
Luke
46An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest.47Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him.48Then he said to them, "Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you all--he is the greatest."49"Master," said John, "we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us."50"Do not stop him," Jesus said, "for whoever 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.