Daily Readings - Fri Sep 30 2022
Job
12"Have you ever given orders to the morning, or shown the dawn its place,13that it might take the earth by the edges and shake the wicked out of it?14The earth takes shape like clay under a seal; its features stand out like those of a garment.15The wicked are denied their light, and their upraised arm is broken.16"Have you journeyed to the springs of the sea or walked in the recesses of the deep?17Have the gates of death been shown to you? Have you seen the gates of the shadow of death?18Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth? Tell me, if you know all this.19"What is the way to the abode of light? And where does darkness reside?20Can you take them to their places? Do you know the paths to their dwellings?21Surely you know, for you were already born! You have lived so many years!
Luke
13"Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.14But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you.15And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths.16"He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects me; but he who rejects me rejects him who sent me."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of humility, accountability, and the call to repentance. In the first reading from the Book of Job, we encounter a dramatic moment in which God speaks to Job, challenging him with a series of rhetorical questions that underscore the vastness of divine wisdom and power. Job, who has endured immense suffering and questioned God’s justice, is brought to a place of profound humility. He acknowledges his own limitations and the mystery of God’s ways, saying, “What could I possibly answer, since I have been speaking thoughtlessly? I will place my hand over my mouth.” This moment marks a turning point for Job, as he learns to trust in God’s providence without fully understanding it.
In the Gospel, Jesus addresses the towns of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum, reproaching them for their lack of repentance despite the miracles He performed in their midst. He warns them that on the day of judgment, the pagan cities of Tyre and Sidon, which were not given such gifts, will fare better than they will. This passage emphasizes the gravity of spiritual complacency and the importance of responding to God’s grace with humility and conversion. Jesus’ words remind us that the greater the blessings we receive, the greater our responsibility to use them well.
These readings are deeply connected. Both Job and the towns in the Gospel are called to recognize the gifts they have been given and to respond with humility and faith. Job’s story teaches us that true wisdom lies in acknowledging our own limitations and trusting in God’s plan, even when we cannot fully understand it. The Gospel, on the other hand, challenges us to examine how we respond to the blessings and opportunities God has given us. Do we take them for granted, or do we allow them to transform us and lead us to repentance?
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How do we respond to the gifts and challenges in our own lives? Do we approach them with humility and gratitude, or with pride and indifference? Let us learn from Job’s example, placing our hands over our mouths when we are tempted to question God’s ways, and instead, seek to trust in His providence. And let us heed Jesus’ warning, recognizing that the blessings we receive bring not only joy but also a call to conversion and fidelity. May we strive to live with humility, gratitude, and a deep commitment to following God’s will in our daily lives.