INTRODUCTION
What conclusion do we usually draw when we reflect on the ‘whyness’ of human suffering? Naturally nobody desires suffering. It is scary to cohabit with it. It humiliates. This was the experience of Job in today’s first reading. However, the reading challenges us to avoid Job’s pessimistic and desperate view of life as a chain of pain and sufferings and to accept life with hope and optimism as a precious gift from God, using it to do good for others and spending our time, talents and lives for others as Jesus did in the Gospel and as Paul demonstrated in his relationship with the Corinthians in the second reading.
Most importantly, the Gospel is full of hope because it tells us that suffering does not have the final word in our lives. Jesus is capable of subduing every pain we have under his authority. We are therefore encouraged to always hand over our worries, our sufferings and pains to Him who alone can change the story of our lives. The salvation He brings is for all. That is why He must certainly cross to the other side unrestrained. He crosses to our towns and villages today. Are we ready to allow Him to meet us?
FIRST READING: Job 7:1-4, 6-7
The book of Job is classified as one of the wisdom books. It was a literary genre meant to address the problem of human suffering, especially as regards the ancient Jewish belief that God rewards the good and punishes the wicked in this life. The author’s intention was to affirm that God is not the source of human suffering but only allows is sometimes as a necessary means for man to rediscover his relationship with his God. In other words, as a pathway to spiritual growth. The author equally teaches that as an existential reality, no one is immune to suffering. Again, the author affirms that the Satan has no direct access to the human will but acts only when the will is ceded to him.Thus, the chapter one of the book of Job describes how God permitted Satan to test the commitment of Job, the righteous. Job was a prosperous and God-fearing man, who suddenly experienced a successive total loss of all he had: wealth, family, and health. This episode expresses therefore how horrible human experience of suffering can be, but at the same time it underlines that the antidotes to suffering is a positive disposition and acceptance of it as part of human existence while trusting firmly in God. The lamentations of Job typified the unpalatable nature of suffering and yet his serene trust and perseverance was emblematic of the fact that man has the will power to make meaning out of every experience of life. This is why Job refused to give up and convincingly trusted that his redeemer lives despite his ordeals (Job 19:25).
Right from the time of the fall of man (Gen. 3), creation never ceased to moan in pain like a woman in labour. Job is an epitome of a creature wounded as a result of the sin of man. Though the scripture described him as an honest man who feared God and shun sin (Job 1:1), but then his experience of suffering showed that he was a descendant of the fallen humanity. This groan of suffering as a result of the broken relationship between God and man had to wait for the appointed time when God decided to restore the relationship. Hence, the advent of Christ was a turning point in the history of humanity. His mission was to ‘recreate’ creation. The curse placed in the garden will be reversed through the tears and sweat of blood in the garden. The sweat of blood in the later garden tells of the heaviness of the sin committed in the first garden. His willingness to accept suffering not only as a way of identifying with humanity but as an essential part of his salvation project became emblematic of the value of suffering.
It is clearly read from the book of Job how the entire human condition is sad and hopeless, and by making an allusion today to a farmer whose life is often defined by continuous labour, the acceptance of degrading work for wages that barely keep him alive and who yearns for relief from the scorching sun, Job concluded that there is no such thing as peace, even in sleep! Instead, there is only a restless expectation of a return to toil at dawn. Job’s perseverance was not devoid of pessimistic pronunciations: “…my life will never again see good” (Job 7:7).
Today, we learn from the episode that suffering is like a virus that infects everyone. We equally learn that suffering reduces the pride of men and leaves them begging for the mercy of their God. Most importantly, the reading teaches us that God is not indifferent to every human cry, even to the anger and dismay of the lament, and that there is no struggle so great, no suffering so intense that it cannot be surrendered with confidence into God’s capable, powerful hands. Of course, Job is right. Left to our own resources, we cannot escape the ultimate meaninglessness of life. Fleeting joys are obliterated by suffering and inevitable death. We are reassured by Faith, however that God gives life a purpose. He permits pain to serve His saving will and to teach us to appreciate His gift of Life to the full. The Good News we proclaim is that, through the death and Resurrection of Jesus, God has joined us to Himself, now and forever. Job eventually realizes that those who choose to give themselves to God will find that life has meaning. Modern psychology teaches us that it is only our totally free actions that bring us real fulfillment in life. If our life is filled with drudgery and our days are without hope, it may be because we have never dared go beyond the security of other people’s approval and acceptance. (Fr. Anthony Kadavil).
Suffering is a risk we must allow in our lives (at least there death is a suffering we can never escape) and make every effort to unite it to the supreme salvific suffering of Christ. It is only when we identity our suffering to that of Christ that we give it a different meaning.
Hence, Jesus shows us that we can reach perfection only by allowing the risk of suffering into our lives, and submitting ourselves to God’s Wisdom and His loving Will in all things.
SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23
The metropolitan city of Corinth was a centre of philosophical and religious ferment, filled with new and bizarre ideas. Paul was well informed of the wave of several heretical teachings as well as the moral decadence in Corinth. The people of Corinth equally knew the history of Paul as a former persecutor of Christians. This might have influenced the hesitancy of many people in recognizing his present authority to preach the Word. So, in today’s reading, Paul explained his authorization to preach the Good News of Jesus to the Corinthians. He acknowledged himself as “a slave to all” and affirming that he had “no reason to boast.”
The testimony of Paul was not only limited to his passion for the Gospel but also the fact that he did not use the Gospel-given right to accept support from the community. He freely gave up rights and privileges that were attached to the ministry (which he had the right to claim) so that he may pour out his life like a libation for the sake of the Gospel. Paul was determined to be seen as free from any desire for personal praise or gain. He emphasized that the choice of giving up his legitimate rights for the sake of a higher ideal gave him true freedom.
The vision of Paul had for the Gospel is not the one of career but a Divine commission, a vocation. Thus, he accepted the evangelical poverty as an essential ingredient and a practical expression of the Gospel. Paul however teaches the Christians in Corinth to understand the value attached to poverty for the sake of the Gospel and learn to forgo certain rights due for them when the spiritual welfare of the other is at stake.
The personality of Paul and his passion for he Gospel remains an inspiration today as it was in the past for those who truly desire to live the dictates of the Gospel in its strictest sense. He demonstrated that the purpose of the ministry of the Word was not to gain personal profit, but to draw people closer to God. Is this still conviction of the Christians today?
GOSPEL: Mark 1:29-39
THE SALVATION AND LOVE OF GOD KNOW NO BOUNDARIES
Capernaum was a small port town located on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee, mostly serving fisherman and the fishing industry. The Sea of Galilee (or the Lake of Tiberius, or the Lake of Gennesaret), is a freshwater lake, 13 miles long at its longest, and 8 miles wide at its widest, with a maximum depth of one hundred fifty feet. It is surrounded by small mountains. In the section of Mark’s Gospel, we read for today, we find the description of a typical Sabbath day in the ministry of Jesus. Having attended the synagogue service, Jesus exorcised a demon and ended the fever of Simon’s mother-in-law. After sundown of that same day, he “cured many who were sick with various diseases and drove out many demons.” Whether the people whom Jesus healed were really possessed by the devil or not, they were mentally disturbed, and they were fully healed. Jesus worked miracles as signs that God’s healing love was at work in the world, and Divine validation of Jesus’ authority to preach. His disciples were excited at seeing their Master becoming a local hero and attracting huge crowds, as John the Baptist had done. They felt that this would increase their reputation and prosperity. So, when they found Jesus the next day, very early in the morning, at prayer in a deserted place, they suggested that he return to the place where he had been so successful. Jesus’ answer, “Let us move on to the neighboring villages, so that I may proclaim the Good News there also; for this purpose, have I come!” told them that Jesus’ mission had an entirely different objective from the one they had expected.
JESUS PRIORITY WAS HIS OBEDIENCE TO HIS HEAVENLY FATHER.
In his preaching and teaching, therefore, Jesus’ only interest was to reach the people who flocked to listen to His preaching and teaching of the Truth, the Word of God and, so, to bring them to conversion. For Jesus, that was “success, — not gaining popularity or winning the patronage of the religious or political power-holders. He came to the world to minister to the needs of the shepherdless sheep of the Lord God’s Flock, Israel, by bringing them and all peoples spiritual salvation and blessing . That is why, for the remaining two years of his life, Jesus went from town to town preaching the Kingdom of God. Traveling to neighboring villages and throughout the whole of Galilee (and beyond), Jesus remained continually on the move so that everyone could benefit from his saving words and works. He used his energies to bring healing and wholeness into the lives of the people. Jesus’ purpose was to love, to teach, to serve, and to give them Life by sharing their lives. Since nobody can be saved who has not first believed (Mark 16:16), it is the first task of priests, as co-workers of the bishops, the successors of the Apostles, to preach the Gospel of God to all men (2 Cor 11:7). In the Church of God, all of us should listen devoutly to the preaching of the Gospel, and we all should feel a responsibility to spread the Gospel by our words and actions. It is the responsibility of the hierarchy of the Church to teach the Gospel authentically–on the authority of Christ. By leaving the relative safety and security of Capernaum and going to other towns and villages in obedience to His Father’s mandate, Jesus risked opposition and even death. It is precisely by going beyond what people expected of him that Jesus accomplished his saving mission. If we, as Christ’s disciples, are tempted to use only a part of our gifts in serving Him in our brothers and sisters, we may hesitate to take risks for Christ, lest this creates problems for us. Jesus shows us that we reach perfection only by allowing the element of risk into our obedient, surrendered lives.
JESUS RECHARGED HIS SPIRITUAL BATTERIES EVERY DAY:
Jesus was convinced that if he were going to spend himself for others by his preaching and healing ministry, he would repeatedly have to summon spiritual reinforcements. He knew that he could not live without prayer, because his teaching and healing ministry drained him of power. For example, after describing how the woman who had touched Jesus’ garment was instantly healed, Mark remarks: “Jesus knew that power had gone out of him” (5:30). The “deserted place” to which Jesus went to pray was not actually a desert. Rather, it was a place where he he could be free from distractions — a place where he could give himself unreservedly to prayer. He went there, not so much to escape the pressures of life, as to refresh himself for further service. Jesus’ prayer is a prayer of perfect praise and thanksgiving to the Father; it is a prayer of petition for himself and for us; and it also a model for the prayer of His disciples. Our daily activities also drain us of our spiritual power and vitality. Our mission of bearing witness to God requires spiritual energy which comes to us through daily anointing by the Holy Spirit. Hence, we, too, need to be recharged spiritually and rejuvenated every day by prayer – listening to God and talking to Him.
LIFE MESSAGES
1) WE NEED TO BE INSTRUMENTS FOR THE EXERCISE OF JESUS ’ HEALING POWER
Bringing healing and wholeness is Jesus’ ministry even today. He continues it through the Church and through the Christians. In the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, the Church prays for spiritual and physical healing, forgiveness of sins, and comfort for those who are suffering from illness. We all need the healing of our minds, our memories, and our broken relationships. Jesus now uses counselors, doctors, friends, or even strangers in his healing ministry. Let us look at today’s Gospel and identify with the mother-in-law of Peter. Let us ask for the ordinary healing we need in our own lives. When we are healed, let us not forget to thank Jesus for his goodness, mercy, and compassion toward us by our own turning to serve others. Our own healing process is completed only when we are ready to help others in their needs and to focus on things outside ourselves. The Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes 7:39 instructs us: “Be not slow to visit the sick; because by these things you shall be confirmed in love.” Let us also be instruments for the exercise of Jesus’ healing power by visiting the sick and praying for their healing. But let us remember that we need the Lord’s strength, not only to make ourselves and others well, but to make ourselves and others whole.
2) WE NEED TO LIVE FOR OTHERS AS JESUS DID
Jesus the son of God was a man for others, sharing who he was and what he had with others. In his life there was time for prayer, time for healing, time for rest, and time for reconciliation. Let us take up this challenge by sharing love, mercy, compassion, and forgiveness with others. Instead of considering life as dull and boring let us live our lives as Jesus did, full of dynamism and zeal for the glory of God. (Fr. Anthony Kadavil).
3) WE MUST NEVER BUILD WALLS FOR LOVE
Those who built walls are never Christians. This statement might sound so strong and judgemental but in reality it is a fact. If our model of life is God who we have avowed to follow, then we cannot be selective in our dealings with others. Patriotism should not be an ideological wall against others at the other side. We cannot love by peeping through the window of our hearts. Love is love when we acknowledge that there is a risk and a huge obstacle that awaits over there and yet make a move.
Isn’t it funny when men allow themselves to be divided simply because of cultural background, skin colour, religion etc.? Who bargained for and chose his/her background or colour before coming to this earth, and who at the hour of his/her death remembers the colour of the skin and the background he/her spent whole life defending? Why do I hate the other simply because he is a Jew, a Muslim, a Buddhist etc? To whom did God assign a religion before coming to this world? Whom did God personally tell that He prefers Catholics to Anglicans?
Friends, Jesus tells us to change our vision about the faith we have received. Those who feel they are more Catholics/Christians than Jesus and refuse to open up to dialogue and fraternal love and sharing with other people in the name of the syndrome of “We are Catholics” should remember that Jesus crossed the river today to meet others who are on the other side. Let us stop putting unnecessary boundaries that do not encourage the faith. We are first of all humans before being born into the faith. O how often have we caused many people to become atheists simply because of our ‘seperationist’ faith and inability to love beyond those we consider our brethren in the faith!
May God open our hearts to understand that the love for the other has no face, no identity. May His Holy spirit inspire us to acknowledge the richness of being faithful to the faith we professed but at the same time loving and respecting others who are different from us.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father we thank you for the gift of your Son, the source of our life and salvation. Grant that we who are heavily burdened with so many sufferings in our lives and in our world may be drawn to seek your face always, so that schooled in the conviction of your unconditional love for us, we may always remain faithful to you come what may. May You bring a lasting healing and relief to all the sick especially the most abandoned. Amen.
PAX VOBIS!
