Lectionary: 460
Reading 1
jb 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17
Job answered the LORD and said:
I know that you can do all things,
and that no purpose of yours can be hindered.
I have dealt with great things that I do not understand;
things too wonderful for me, which I cannot know.
I had heard of you by word of mouth,
but now my eye has seen you.
Therefore I disown what I have said,
and repent in dust and ashes.
Thus the LORD blessed the latter days of Job
more than his earlier ones.
For he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels,
a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she-asses.
And he had seven sons and three daughters,
of whom he called the first Jemimah,
the second Keziah, and the third Kerenhappuch.
In all the land no other women were as beautiful
as the daughters of Job;
and their father gave them an inheritance
along with their brothers.
After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years;
and he saw his children, his grandchildren,
and even his great-grandchildren.
Then Job died, old and full of years.
Responsorial Psalm
ps 119:66, 71, 75, 91, 125, 130
R. (135) Lord, let your face shine on me.
Teach me wisdom and knowledge,
for in your commands I trust.
R. Lord, let your face shine on me.
It is good for me that I have been afflicted,
that I may learn your statutes.
R. Lord, let your face shine on me.
I know, O LORD, that your ordinances are just,
and in your faithfulness you have afflicted me.
R. Lord, let your face shine on me.
According to your ordinances they still stand firm:
all things serve you.
R. Lord, let your face shine on me.
I am your servant; give me discernment
that I may know your decrees.
R. Lord, let your face shine on me.
The revelation of your words sheds light,
giving understanding to the simple.
R. Lord, let your face shine on me.
Gospel
lk 10:17-24
The seventy-two disciples returned rejoicing and said to Jesus,
“Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name.”
Jesus said, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky.
Behold, I have given you the power
‘to tread upon serpents’ and scorpions
and upon the full force of the enemy
and nothing will harm you.
Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you,
but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”
At that very moment he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said,
“I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
for although you have hidden these things
from the wise and the learned
you have revealed them to the childlike.
Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.
All things have been handed over to me by my Father.
No one knows who the Son is except the Father,
and who the Father is except the Son
and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”
Turning to the disciples in private he said,
“Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.
For I say to you,
many prophets and kings desired to see what you see,
but did not see it,
and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.”
REFLECTION
SOURCE: One Bread One Body
THEME: MY WORD!
"It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes." –Psalm 119:71
Psalm 119 expresses the normal, though not typical, attitude of a Christian toward the Word of God. This attitude is so zealous (Ps 119:139) that it takes 176 verses to extol every aspect of God's Word. How does a Christian come to love God's Word this deeply, according to the Psalm 119 standard?
Many with this zealous devotion to the Scriptures did not start this way. We can testify: "Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I hold to Your promise" (Ps 119:67). God has brought us low to make us open to His Word. Although we are "very much afflicted" (Ps 119:107), unjustly oppressed (Ps 119:78), and in "distress and anguish" (Ps 119:143), these sufferings pale in comparison to the delight we now take in God's Word (Ps 119:35). In fact, despite our present sufferings, what really bothers us is that others disdain God's Word. We lament: "My eyes shed streams of tears because Your law has not been kept" (Ps 119:136).
Psalm 119 was written at a time when the Scriptures did not include the New Testament and before several of the Old Testament books had been compiled. Even without knowing the joy and consolation that Jesus gives, would this half-Bible be enough to fill your heart with exuberant praises? Would God's Word itself be your delight? If not, humble yourself before the Lord. God declares: "This is the one whom I approve: the lowly and afflicted man who trembles at My word" (Is 66:2). How much more should our hearts burn within us today as we read God's Word in its full New Testament, gospel splendor! (Lk 24:32)
PRAYER: Father, "in Your statutes I will delight; I will not forget Your words" (Ps 119:16).
PROMISE: "Your names are inscribed in heaven." –Lk 10:20
PRAISE: St. Francis voluntarily accepted gospel poverty, doing penance for those unable or unwilling to repent.
Be an inspiration, kindly Share.
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