In today's first reading (Job, 7, 1-4.6-7) we are listening to the words of Job. He is declaring the miseries of a man's life. In his address to God Job uses the terms of soldier and slave. Both of these were chosen to serve others and their lives can also be short and defined. Their life depends upon the mercy of others. A soldier must be obedient even unto death, and should never resist his superior. A Hireling has no rest till the day is spent.
Still Job says no soldier or hireling was ever treated so severely as he is.
Yes, the testing of Job's faith in God was painful.
Job has no idea, why he is so punished. Still in this painful life he is not stopping praying for God's Mercy and Peace.
The passage from the book of Job is not giving a clear explanation to the sufferings of Human. But it asks us to remain faithful and just.
But the Psalm (147, 1-6) gives some hope and power. It is a thanksgiving Psalm. The figures "the Lord rebuilds Jerusalem, " he gathers the dispersed of Israel", "Heals the broken-hearted, binds up their wounds, Numbers all the stars, calls each of them by name." - are positive.
This is something rebuilding and encouraging the hope and self respect that were lost. As Job does, the psalmist too acknowledges that
"Great is our Lord, vast in power".
The growth of this Hope and faith is more visible in the second reading (1 Kor 9, 16-19, 22-23) in the words of St. Paul. Claiming one's right is the context of the reading. But Paul exhorts them not to concentrate on their right alone, when it may hurt others. He is giving his own example. He as an Apostle had the right to live from his Preaching Gospel and not to engage in other works. But he considers the preaching of the Gospel more important that any glory and position. He says there is no reason to boast on his preaching, but it is an imposed obligation.
Not preaching the Gospel means wo unto him.
This is not a compulsion from outside - that brings nothing.
But it is a compulsion from the conscience, from inside, from his faith and God experience. It forces him to do Good; to do what is right.
And avoiding conscience is bad then
it is avoiding the chance of doing good work.
Gospel is the good news of God unto us and is not bad.
It is good as the name itself refers.
Proclaiming Gospel means proclaiming good works of God, God's good intention with us. It is the saving message of God for our lives.
Avoiding it is a big lapse.
If Job compares his suffering worse that that of a soldier and a slave, St Paul is happy to preach that "I made myself the servant of all: that I might gain the more".
Yes, it may be an answer to the sufferings and Human beings.
One hast to accept the life with the combination of Charity and free will.
That gives satisfaction in life.
St Paul's life style is charming. He says " To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak. I have become all things to all, to save at least some. All this I do for the sake of the gospel, so that I too may have a share in it."
It is the reflection of today's Gospel (Mk 1, 29-39) and the deeds of Jesus in common. Jesus was one with the human situation.
He was fully there for their needs. It helped him to understand the life of others.
He heals the mother in law of Simon Peter, then in the evening the many who were ill and possessed by the evil spirits.
This says what he was and what he will. It is the love and dedication towards his call and mission. Jesus too had his burdens. To be with a crowd full of various needs and to do Wonder and healings were not so simple. It needs him enormous power and patience. For that he gets up in the early morning and returns to the Divine source in Prayer in the loneliness. He collects his power in the deep relation with his Father in Heaven through his prayer life.
The painful life of Job, the hopeful prayer of the psalmist, the dedicated life of St Paul and the busy life of Jesus - all of them teach us to live for the divine will. Our lives may not be fully revealed to us. Still we should hope for a rebuilding, reinstating Power of God. The duties may appear to us as compulsion and burden, but they elevate our life.
We may feel that there is a scarcity of time in our life for all the good works. But we have also no time to lose. Our life and mission to other people are costly. Jesus showed us what a man can do. We may not be able to do all of them. But we can do our duties with charity and free will.
It will bring us 30, 60 and 100 Percent harvest. God bless us all. Amen!
-
Fr Thomas Kalathil
No comments:
Post a Comment