Friday, October 2, 2020

The Lord Blessed the Latter Days of Job More Than His Earlier Ones (Job 42:12); Homily – Saturday of the 26th Week In Ord. Time Year B.

 

Homily – Saturday of the 26th Week In Ord. Time Year B.

v  Job 42:1-3, 5-6,12-17

v  Ps 119:66,71,75,91,125,130

v  Luke 10:17-24

The Lord Blessed the Latter Days of Job More Than His Earlier Ones (Job 42:12)

Today we celebrate the Lord of Job and of the 72 disciples. We celebrate victory of Job over trials as well those of the 72 over demons, in today’s Gospel of Luke. Job’s victory is our victory. The 72’s victory is our victory. Road to such victories requires, humility, patience, hope, faith, endurance and the steadfastness of Job, which we saw him display through throughout his Book, culminating in today’s epilogue, the 42nd chapter, and the first reading, where God blesses and rewards Job more and more for his steadfastness and repentance!

In this prose epilogue, our first reading today, Job is convinced of the love, the sovereignty, the wisdom and the power of God. When he answers God that, “I know you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted, who is this that hides counsel without knowledge, therefore, I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me which I did not know” ( vv. 1-3), Job is actually confessing his innocence. In chapter 38:2, Job was judged to have spoken ignorantly about God, yet he is judged here in this last chapter, in this epilogue to have spoken exemplarily and correctly about God. How many times have we not spoken ignorantly about events surroundings our lives, without facts? Are we also ready to learn, and to speak correctly, now?

In this final episode, Job affirms his innocence, yet, God is the source of all things, life and death. If we die we die in Christ, if we live we live in Christ, as St. Paul would later affirm (Romans 14:8). His friends who stressed so quickly on retributive justice were wrong and fell short of divine wisdom, as some of our contemporary friends would. His wife who also had encourage Job to curse God and die in Job 2:10, may have been mistaken as well. However, there is still a window of hope and mercy for all from a merciful, loving and forgiving God, through the prayers, repentance and intercession of Job (vv.5-6).

Job prays, “but now my eyes sees you, therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes” (like ancient prophets, Isaiah 20 and others). Job’s repentance is also a spring board for the Lord blessings him, his latter days than before. His fortunes is restored (as always been in the prayers and prophecy of Zephaniah and others). Job is also given back the blessings of having family, and friends, each whom brought him a gold ring and a piece of money (vv.12ff). He is blessed with many children, 7 sons and 3 beautiful daughters, with significant names: Jemimah (Dove), Keziah (Cinnamon) and Keren- Happauch (Horn of Eyeshadow). Job also lived about 140 years, saw his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. What a joyful ending!

Job’s joyful and happy ending anticipates the joyful return of the 72 in today’s Gospel (Luke 10:17-24).  The demons subjected to them because the healed in Christ name, they kept the faith, the rules, the ethics of Christ’s mission, serving with humility, missioning with modesty, carrying no sacks, no tunics, and no sandals but bearing peace, love, mercy, forgiveness,  patient, compassion, generosity ( Luke 10:1-12).

Job’s patience, endurance, steadfastness and prayers are rewarding at the end. The humble mission of the 72, in the name of Christ pays off at the end. Like job, their names are written in heaven. They are rewarded a hundred fold as Job’s latter days became more blessed than the earlier ones.

Job in particular challenges us, through the intercession of Blessed Virgin Mary to patience- endurance, to love, peace, hope, and steadfastness, trust in God’s power, tender care, divine mercy, faithfulness, blessings, and restoration of fortunes of those who persevere to the end!

 Reflection Questions

1.      Do we preserver like Job or like the 72 disciples of today’s Gospel?

2.      What do we make of the epilogue the final chapter 42 of Job?

3.      What is the significance of Job’s daughter’s names for us (Dove, Cinnamon, and Horn of Eyeshadows?).