Readings for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Readings and Commentary:[3]
Reading 1: Job 7:1-4, 6-7
Is not man's life on earth a drudgery?
Are not his days those of hirelings?
He is a slave who longs for the shade,
a hireling who waits for his wages.
So I have been assigned months of misery,
and troubled nights have been allotted to me.
If in bed I say, "When shall I arise?"
then the night drags on;
I am filled with restlessness until the dawn.
My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle;
they come to an end without hope.
Remember that my life is like the wind;
I shall not see happiness again.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Jb 7:1-4, 6-7
Since no context is given we must set the scene. Job is responding in the first of several exchanges between he and his “friends”, lamenting the terrible situation that has befallen him. His friend Eliphaz has just commented in an optimistic way about Job’s possible future, having been surprised that Job felt that his life should just end instead of hoping for restored health and prosperity. To his friends comments Job responds with both logic and poetry. This selection is part of his first Soliloquy.
In this selection Job first compares life on earth to military service (drudgery being derived from that environment). He complains of the boredom, servitude and pain – without hope of respite; indeed, he concludes, with no hope whatsoever.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Responsorial Psalm:[4] Psalm 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
R. (cf. 3a) Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted.
or:
Alleluia.
Praise the LORD, for he is good;
sing praise to our God, for he is gracious;
it is fitting to praise him.
The LORD rebuilds Jerusalem;
the dispersed of Israel he gathers.
R. Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted.
or:
Alleluia.
He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
He tells the number of the stars;
he calls each by name.
R. Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted.
or:
Alleluia.
Great is our Lord and mighty in power;
to his wisdom there is no limit.
The LORD sustains the lowly;
the wicked he casts to the ground.
R. Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted.
or:
Alleluia.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
This hymn of praise anticipates the coming of the Messiah who restores what is lost and, again, gives hope to the poor, upon whom he lavishes special blessings; "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reading II: 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23
If I preach the gospel, this is no reason for me to boast,
for an obligation has been imposed on me,
and woe to me if I do not preach it!
If I do so willingly, I have a recompense,
but if unwillingly, then I have been entrusted with a stewardship.
What then is my recompense?
That, when I preach,
I offer the gospel free of charge
so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.
Although I am free in regard to all,
I have made myself a slave to all
so as to win over as many as possible.
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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on 1 Cor 9:16-19, 22-23
St. Paul continues to exhort the church at Corinth to follow his example. He begins this selection with a restatement of his own imperative call to proclaim the Gospel a “divine compulsion”. His reward for responding to that call is “…too may have a share in it.” His clear message is that the Gospel he proclaims and the work he accomplishes should bring glory to Christ, not himself.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gospel: Mark 1:29-39
On leaving the synagogue
he (Jesus) entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John.
Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever.
They immediately told him about her.
He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up.
Then the fever left her and she waited on them.
When it was evening, after sunset,
they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons.
The whole town was gathered at the door.
He cured many who were sick with various diseases,
and he drove out many demons,
not permitting them to speak because they knew him.
Rising very early before dawn, he left
and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.
Simon and those who were with him pursued him
and on finding him said, "Everyone is looking for you."
He told them, "Let us go on to the nearby villages
that I may preach there also.
For this purpose have I come."
So he went into their synagogues,
preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Mk 1:29-39
Immediately following his exorcism of the unclean spirit and still in Capernaum, Jesus continues his healing ministry by curing Simon’s mother-in-law of a fever. His notoriety spreads quickly and other people from the region begin bring those ill in body and mind to him at the house of his disciples Simon and his brother Andrew. The Gospel tells us that the Lord went off to a deserted place to pray and it was only when Simon and his companions came and found him that he continued his mission. The passage concludes as St. Mark’s account shows Jesus responds to the Father’s purpose in sending him – to proclaim God’s love through preaching and curing the sick.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Homily:
Let us begin, as scripture did, by looking at Job. In the first reading he is responding to a friend who has chastised him for being so pessimistic about his plight. Job had burdened his friends with a description of his situation so desperate that life was not worth continuing. Eliphaz in his turn had reminded Job of his goodness and piety; telling him that God would surly not destroy the just person.
Still, Job had lost all his extensive possessions, he had lost his sons and daughters and he had lost even his health, being afflicted by Satan with horrible boils to a point where his friends did not even recognize him. His hopelessness is summed up in the final statement: “Remember that my life is like the wind; I shall not see happiness again.”
Does Job sound familiar? Haven’t we all heard a person beg the question “Why do bad things happen to good people?” The answer to that question is, in part also provided in the Book of Job. For those who are not familiar with the story, Job was a wealthy man. He had extensive flocks and herds of animals and a large family with seven sons and three daughters. We are told he lived a devout life and followed God’s commandments without fail.
The Lord God, was pleased with Job but Satan challenged God saying that it was easy for Job to be faithful and devout, look at the blessings God had given him. To this God responded that Satan could take away all that Job had, he just could not touch Job himself. God was confident that Job would remain faithful. With that Satan proceeded to strip Job of all his possessions and even caused his children to die. In response, Job mourned all that passed but did not blaspheme against God.
Again God said how proud he was of his servant Job and again Satan said to God – of course he remains faithful, his own life is not at risk. To prove Satan wrong, God told Satan that he could strike Job, he just could not kill him. That is when Job was afflicted with the boils and that is were we find him in the first reading. This factor alone does not fully explain why bad things happen to good people. Our loving God is not capricious; he does not sit around making wagers with the Evil One. The point made in Job is rather that the Satan does exist as a force in the world
A major contributing factor In this question and in life is in the creation story itself. God created us, “in our (his) image, after our likeness “(Genesis 1: 26). In that creation he gave all of us, good and bad alike, the ability to make choices. These choices are the driving force that supplies the rest of the answer to that question; why bad things happen to good people. We live in a crowded world and, as the day of Job, Satan is in the world “…roaming the earth and patrolling it."
The balance of sacred scripture with which we are confronted today provides our response to the difficulties and setbacks we face in the world today. Job’s was a response that seemed to have no hope (at this point in the tail, the story does have a good ending). Our response is founded in Christ, God’s Son, who came into the world so that we would know God’s love and consolation. It was through Christ, who we see in St. Mark’s Gospel, that healing and forgiveness came into the world.
The author of the book of Job envisioned the battle between good and evil, between God and Satan. The story teaches perseverance in the face of tragedy and fidelity to God even when it seems that God has deserted us. Christ comes as an image of that love. He brings us the hope that lifts us up and the strength to help others similarly afflicted. This message of hope and love is one sorely needed in today’s climate.
We are called to proclaim Christ’s Gospel of salvation like St. Paul who emphasized that duty to the Corinthians when he said “…an obligation has been imposed on me, and woe to me if I do not preach it!” Woe to us if we give up hope and fall prey to the one who roams the earth, patrolling it. Despair is his tool, not hope. We dare not fall into that easy trap.
Today we see in Job the depths to which calamity can bring us. We see also the hope that comes through Christ who walks with us always and carries us in the worst of times. We must remember that great gift. It was with great sacrifice that he brought it to us.
Pax
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Readings and Commentary:[3]
Reading 1: Job 7:1-4, 6-7
Is not man's life on earth a drudgery?
Are not his days those of hirelings?
He is a slave who longs for the shade,
a hireling who waits for his wages.
So I have been assigned months of misery,
and troubled nights have been allotted to me.
If in bed I say, "When shall I arise?"
then the night drags on;
I am filled with restlessness until the dawn.
My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle;
they come to an end without hope.
Remember that my life is like the wind;
I shall not see happiness again.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Jb 7:1-4, 6-7
Since no context is given we must set the scene. Job is responding in the first of several exchanges between he and his “friends”, lamenting the terrible situation that has befallen him. His friend Eliphaz has just commented in an optimistic way about Job’s possible future, having been surprised that Job felt that his life should just end instead of hoping for restored health and prosperity. To his friends comments Job responds with both logic and poetry. This selection is part of his first Soliloquy.
In this selection Job first compares life on earth to military service (drudgery being derived from that environment). He complains of the boredom, servitude and pain – without hope of respite; indeed, he concludes, with no hope whatsoever.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Responsorial Psalm:[4] Psalm 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
R. (cf. 3a) Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted.
or:
Alleluia.
Praise the LORD, for he is good;
sing praise to our God, for he is gracious;
it is fitting to praise him.
The LORD rebuilds Jerusalem;
the dispersed of Israel he gathers.
R. Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted.
or:
Alleluia.
He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
He tells the number of the stars;
he calls each by name.
R. Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted.
or:
Alleluia.
Great is our Lord and mighty in power;
to his wisdom there is no limit.
The LORD sustains the lowly;
the wicked he casts to the ground.
R. Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted.
or:
Alleluia.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
This hymn of praise anticipates the coming of the Messiah who restores what is lost and, again, gives hope to the poor, upon whom he lavishes special blessings; "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reading II: 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23
If I preach the gospel, this is no reason for me to boast,
for an obligation has been imposed on me,
and woe to me if I do not preach it!
If I do so willingly, I have a recompense,
but if unwillingly, then I have been entrusted with a stewardship.
What then is my recompense?
That, when I preach,
I offer the gospel free of charge
so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.
Although I am free in regard to all,
I have made myself a slave to all
so as to win over as many as possible.
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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on 1 Cor 9:16-19, 22-23
St. Paul continues to exhort the church at Corinth to follow his example. He begins this selection with a restatement of his own imperative call to proclaim the Gospel a “divine compulsion”. His reward for responding to that call is “…too may have a share in it.” His clear message is that the Gospel he proclaims and the work he accomplishes should bring glory to Christ, not himself.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gospel: Mark 1:29-39
On leaving the synagogue
he (Jesus) entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John.
Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever.
They immediately told him about her.
He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up.
Then the fever left her and she waited on them.
When it was evening, after sunset,
they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons.
The whole town was gathered at the door.
He cured many who were sick with various diseases,
and he drove out many demons,
not permitting them to speak because they knew him.
Rising very early before dawn, he left
and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.
Simon and those who were with him pursued him
and on finding him said, "Everyone is looking for you."
He told them, "Let us go on to the nearby villages
that I may preach there also.
For this purpose have I come."
So he went into their synagogues,
preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Mk 1:29-39
Immediately following his exorcism of the unclean spirit and still in Capernaum, Jesus continues his healing ministry by curing Simon’s mother-in-law of a fever. His notoriety spreads quickly and other people from the region begin bring those ill in body and mind to him at the house of his disciples Simon and his brother Andrew. The Gospel tells us that the Lord went off to a deserted place to pray and it was only when Simon and his companions came and found him that he continued his mission. The passage concludes as St. Mark’s account shows Jesus responds to the Father’s purpose in sending him – to proclaim God’s love through preaching and curing the sick.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Homily:
Let us begin, as scripture did, by looking at Job. In the first reading he is responding to a friend who has chastised him for being so pessimistic about his plight. Job had burdened his friends with a description of his situation so desperate that life was not worth continuing. Eliphaz in his turn had reminded Job of his goodness and piety; telling him that God would surly not destroy the just person.
Still, Job had lost all his extensive possessions, he had lost his sons and daughters and he had lost even his health, being afflicted by Satan with horrible boils to a point where his friends did not even recognize him. His hopelessness is summed up in the final statement: “Remember that my life is like the wind; I shall not see happiness again.”
Does Job sound familiar? Haven’t we all heard a person beg the question “Why do bad things happen to good people?” The answer to that question is, in part also provided in the Book of Job. For those who are not familiar with the story, Job was a wealthy man. He had extensive flocks and herds of animals and a large family with seven sons and three daughters. We are told he lived a devout life and followed God’s commandments without fail.
The Lord God, was pleased with Job but Satan challenged God saying that it was easy for Job to be faithful and devout, look at the blessings God had given him. To this God responded that Satan could take away all that Job had, he just could not touch Job himself. God was confident that Job would remain faithful. With that Satan proceeded to strip Job of all his possessions and even caused his children to die. In response, Job mourned all that passed but did not blaspheme against God.
Again God said how proud he was of his servant Job and again Satan said to God – of course he remains faithful, his own life is not at risk. To prove Satan wrong, God told Satan that he could strike Job, he just could not kill him. That is when Job was afflicted with the boils and that is were we find him in the first reading. This factor alone does not fully explain why bad things happen to good people. Our loving God is not capricious; he does not sit around making wagers with the Evil One. The point made in Job is rather that the Satan does exist as a force in the world
A major contributing factor In this question and in life is in the creation story itself. God created us, “in our (his) image, after our likeness “(Genesis 1: 26). In that creation he gave all of us, good and bad alike, the ability to make choices. These choices are the driving force that supplies the rest of the answer to that question; why bad things happen to good people. We live in a crowded world and, as the day of Job, Satan is in the world “…roaming the earth and patrolling it."
The balance of sacred scripture with which we are confronted today provides our response to the difficulties and setbacks we face in the world today. Job’s was a response that seemed to have no hope (at this point in the tail, the story does have a good ending). Our response is founded in Christ, God’s Son, who came into the world so that we would know God’s love and consolation. It was through Christ, who we see in St. Mark’s Gospel, that healing and forgiveness came into the world.
The author of the book of Job envisioned the battle between good and evil, between God and Satan. The story teaches perseverance in the face of tragedy and fidelity to God even when it seems that God has deserted us. Christ comes as an image of that love. He brings us the hope that lifts us up and the strength to help others similarly afflicted. This message of hope and love is one sorely needed in today’s climate.
We are called to proclaim Christ’s Gospel of salvation like St. Paul who emphasized that duty to the Corinthians when he said “…an obligation has been imposed on me, and woe to me if I do not preach it!” Woe to us if we give up hope and fall prey to the one who roams the earth, patrolling it. Despair is his tool, not hope. We dare not fall into that easy trap.
Today we see in Job the depths to which calamity can bring us. We see also the hope that comes through Christ who walks with us always and carries us in the worst of times. We must remember that great gift. It was with great sacrifice that he brought it to us.
Pax
[1] ALTRE
[2] The picture today is “The Patient Job” by Gerard Seghers, c. 1620
[3] Text of Readings is taken from the New American Bible, Copyright © Libreria Editrice Vaticana
[4] Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 1973, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.
No comments:
Post a Comment