We have Sunday readings difficult to understand. Oh
Yes. The first reading begins with
a horrible quotation from the Book of Job. Is not man’s life on
earth a drudgery? Are not his days
those of a hireling? Then it gets worse. My months are full of
misery. I can’t wait to get to
bed, then I can’t wait to get up. I shall not see happiness again. What a
wonderful way to begin our Sunday![1]
The Book of Job is part of the Wisdom literature of
the Hebrew Bible or Old Testament. Biblical wisdom literature often contrasts
man’s work with God’s. Man is finite, his work is limited. More than that, most often man’s work
has no meaning whatsoever. This
work of man’s is contrasted with God’s work, where every action has
purpose. What the wisdom books are
saying is that apart from that which comes from God and returns to Him, all is
drudgery. Simon Peter’s mother-in-law (our gospel reading) was sick. She had a fever. Jesus came and grasped
her hand and helped her up. Her response to the touch of the Lord was to serve
Him and His disciples. This was far more than performing her household tasks. What
the Gospel writer was saying in this story of hurt and healing was something
that all Christians recognize: when Jesus Christ touches us, we have no choice
but to immediately enter into His service. That is the nature and power of His
love. His love transforms us into a people of loving service.
It is obvious that the people in parishes understand
this but why do we volunteer? Why do we feel obliged to make time to serve? Because Jesus has touched us. And we
have held on to the hand that has helped us out of our sickbeds, we have
accepted his touch. We have become
disciples. Now we have no choice but to find ways to serve him. We do this primarily by serving his
presence in each other and by serving his presence in others throughout the
world. He touches us, raises us out of my sickness and calls us to serve. What
tremendous meaning and purpose we have in our lives. Our lives don’t suffer from the drudgery of Job’s. Instead,
we are like Paul who in the second reading became all things to all for the
sake of the Gospel.
Amazing Grace we sing very often. Jesus has raised us
up. We are no longer blind to his presence in the world. We see. We see his presence in others,
and He sees His presence in us. It is all good, this following of Christ. We pray today that we might continue to
be committed Christians, active disciples, loving people ■
[1]
5th Sunday of Ordinary Time B, February 8, 2015. Readings: Job 7:1-4, 6-7;
Responsorial Psalm 147: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6; 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23; Mark
1:29-39.
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario