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| “Job Confessing his Presumption to God who Answers from the Whirlwind” by William Blake,1803-05 |
Commentary:[3]
Reading I: Job 38:1, 12-21; 40:3-5
Commentary on Jb 38:1, 12-21; 40:3-5
The exchanges between Job and the “three friends” have concluded. Now God himself speaks to Job: “…he speaks of his wisdom and power, which are altogether beyond the capacity of Job, who therefore should never dare to demand a reason for the divine actions. Out of the storm: frequently the background of the appearances of the Lord in the Old Testament; cf Psalm 18; 50; Nahum 1:3; Hebrews 3.” [4]
Other versions of scripture translate the word as “whirlwind.” “The theophany 'out of the whirlwind' would alone have made this plain; it was a whirlwind that took Elijah up to heaven (2 Kings 2:1,11) and it figures in the eschatological appearances of the Lord (cf. Ezekiel 1:1-3; 15; Zechariah 9:14); even if God had made himself silently present, Job would have had his desire fulfilled: he would have met the Lord. But by responding to Job with words, God is bestowing on him the same sign of favor as he gave to the patriarchs and to Moses, with whom he spoke face to face. In this way the sacred writer shows how very worthy a person Job is.“ [5] Job’s response to God (in Job 40:3-5) is his final admission that he is incapable of understanding God’s ways.
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 139:1-3, 7-8, 9-10, 13-14ab
R. (24b) Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
Commentary on Ps 139:1-3, 7-8, 9-10, 13-14ab
Psalm 139 is a hymn of meditation upon God’s presence in our lives. The selection carries the awe that one so great could love one so insignificant. It recognizes that God’s spirit is in all his creation, and, by its existence, knowledge of God's spirit is omnipresent.
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Gospel: Luke 10:13-16
Commentary on Lk 10:13-16
This selection is a continuation of the instructions being given to the seventy (two) who are being sent out. The Lord instructs them to issue a call to repentance to those who reject the proclamation of the Kingdom of God. The punishment of these unbelieving communities will be severe, as their rejection of the call to holiness is a rejection of Christ himself: “And whoever rejects me [Jesus] rejects the one who sent me."
CCC: Lk 10:16 87, 858
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Reflection:
What do the wisdom of Job and the exhortations of the Gospel tell us as we hear them proclaimed? In the Book of Job, we approach the climax of Job’s story. God speaks to him asking if he [Job], like the creator, has knowledge of all that is created. He challenges Job to have faith, to consider all the power and majesty of what the Lord has laid before him. God points out, not just physical creation, but also that his justice will defeat the wicked in the end, and the faithful shall be vindicated, although this is not comprehensible by human standards (any more than our complete understanding of creation).
We jump forward now to Jesus’ instructions to the seventy (two). Like the wicked in God’s discourse with Job, whose “light is withheld, and the arm of pride is shattered,” the unbelieving communities to whom these disciples are sent “will go down to the netherworld.” Like the wicked mentioned in Job’s discourse, those who hear Christ’s Gospel and reject it will not participate in God’s mercy.
From a very pragmatic perspective, this makes perfect sense. Think for a moment about what a believing person receives automatically from their faith in God and Christ. Immediately they recognize that, while they may not understand all of God’s actions, nor even Christ’s will for them, they are recipients of God’s consolation. God is with us, Christ supports us, and the Holy Spirit infuses us with strength. What confidence and peace that gives the believer as the world rages with uncertainty.
For those who reject God, and who look to their own strength to secure themselves, they will certainly fall prey to despair. Walking alone into the lion’s den will bring death, coming with God’s support and strength, even in the face of terrible danger, will bring victory.
And for those who do not believe, what are we to do about them? We are called, as the seventy (two) were called, to love them and reach out to them. God sent Christ so that all peoples of all nations might know his love for them, and receive his invitation to join in his heavenly banquet. We must never cease inviting them to join us, but not as a demand. Jesus did not demand acceptance, but offered an invitation to salvation. Just as we would offer a seat in a life boat to those on a sinking ship, we should call to them. “Follow the Lord, he shows the way.”
Even as we take those instructions to heart, we are warned by the Gospel that there will be many who refuse. Today we pray for them, the ones who hear and reject the priceless offer. May our continuing invitation persuade them in the end, and may they join us in the glory of God’s love.
Pax
[1] The picture used today is “Job Confessing his Presumption to God who Answers from the Whirlwind” by William Blake,1803-05
[4] See NAB footnote on Job 38:1.
[5] The Navarre Bible: “Wisdom Books”, Scepter Publishers, Princeton, NJ, © 2003, pp. 139-40
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