Job 3:1-3.11-17.20-23/Lk 9:51-56
Job's sufferings are intense and they were rare in this form in any community of the people of Israel. Those sufferings can never be compared to any patriarch of Israel who existed before Job. But Job is teaching the way how to approach the problem of suffering in our life. He never blamed God at any moment of his life even if he would lose his life. He blamed the day of his birth; he blamed himself, but he never blamed God. He refused to blame God while his friends were forcing him to deny God.
Nowadays, many people lose faith easily, especially when their close friends/beloved ones disappear suddenly from their life by death. People blasphemy against God for simple discouragements in their life. Satguru says, "Do not blame others for your situation, look to your past to find what led you to where you are." Job is making this process towards self-realization.
Job lost his family, wealth, and even his health. But he firmly decided not to curse God. The Book of Job is not speaking a lot about his strong faith in God. Today it is not our wish to lose our money, everything. We should cultivate our hearts like Job did even in smallest losses in our life.
Jesus also had the same heart in his journey toward Jerusalem. Samaritans did not welcome Jesus as he was journeying to Jerusalem. Usually, the Jews travelling from Galilee to Judea (north to south) would avoid entering into Samaria because it is defilement/impurity for them, so they used to walk close to the Jordan. Jesus breaks the tradition, he wanted to travel to and through Samaria which was less crossed by the people. Jesus is not hindered by the rejection, he takes a different route and continues his journey. It is written, "he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem". His focus was clear.
When our focus is clear, we need not blame anyone. God is the supreme companion of our journey. We ask God for his perseverance on our side.
Today also the Church commemorates St. Vincent de Paul, the French saint who became the symbol of the successful reform of the French Church. He started his life by just doing his simple pastoral ministry in Clich. While preaching, he loved to prepare well the people for the sacrament of Confession. This work became his passion. The need to evangelize and assist these souls was so great and the demands were beyond his own ability. There he founded the male and female order and another one for the lay institute of women. Today we pray for all the Vincentians for their fruitful ministry around the world.
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