26th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C) : Friday 30th September 2022

Job’s life has been visited with utter misfortune – the loss of his possessions, the death of his children, the pain of physical illness and the torment of spiritual confusion. His friends attempt to explain the reasons for such severe suffering. Still, Job wonders why these terrible things have happened to him.

Today, we hear God’s response. It is a speech that recalls the great distance between Job’s humanity and the tremendous power of God. It is God, and God alone, who can walk the depths of the sea, see the entire breadth of the earth and give light to each new day. God is in control. Job now realises this and is silent.

In the end, God restores all Job’s possessions, blesses him with more children, and gives him 140 years of life. There seems to be a happy ending. However, the story raises many points for us to ponder. When life looks unfairly harsh, is there a respectful way to express pain, confusion and even anger to the Creator of the universe? Do I feel that God responds to the suffering in my life?

Is it possible that God’s ultimate response to human suffering is not a speech but His Son’s life, suffering, death and resurrection?

God, help me to hear Your voice even in the midst of suffering. Amen