Understandably Job is distraught and in anguish of the ‘injustice’ that He has to bear. Yet He utters not one curse against the Lord His God whom He worships with all His heart. Otherwise how can He recognise the light our Lord gives inspite of the overwhelming darkness that has befallen him.
We must therefore carry the light of Christ always in our heart. Who shines bright even amidst the dark night of our souls. Even when we are not received in a positive light or even persecuted. Our hearts must be set on forgiveness and love. Only then we shall remain in the joy of our Lord who loves us dearly. Amen
Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, pray for us…
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First reading
Job 3:1-3,11-17,20-23 ·
Why did I not perish on the day I was born?
Job broke the silence and cursed the day of his birth. This is what he said:
May the day perish when I was born, and the night that told of a boy conceived.
Why did I not die new-born, not perish as I left the womb?
Why were there two knees to receive me, two breasts for me to suck?
Had there not been, I should now be lying in peace, wrapped in a restful slumber, with the kings and high viziers of earth who build themselves vast vaults, or with princes who have gold and to spare and houses crammed with silver.
Or put away like a still-born child that never came to be, like unborn babes that never see the light.
Down there, bad men bustle no more, there the weary rest.
Why give light to a man of grief? Why give life to those bitter of heart, who long for a death that never comes, and hunt for it more than for a buried treasure?
They would be glad to see the grave-mound and shout with joy if they reached the tomb.
Why make this gift of light to a man who does not see his way, whom God baulks on every side?
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Gospel
Luke 9:51-56
Jesus sets out for Jerusalem
As the time drew near for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely took the road for Jerusalem and sent messengers ahead of him. These set out, and they went into a Samaritan village to make preparations for him, but the people would not receive him because he was making for Jerusalem. Seeing this, the disciples James and John said, ‘Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to burn them up?’ But he turned and rebuked them, and they went off to another village.
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