The first readings of this week are taken from the book of Job. The book of Job is a part of the wisdom literature in the Hebrew Scripture. And the book is under the category of proto canonical section. The book is canonized even though we do not know clearly the author and time when the book was written. Did Job really exist? Is it an epic story? We do not know. But for the Jews, Job is the metaphor/symbolic figure in whom we are all present.
The book deals strongly with the problem of suffering and evil. One thing is certain here: the book was written at an important time when there were different concepts on suffering.
- Suffering was a product of the fall, a consequence of human sin/disobedience against God. (cf. Book of Genesis; Adam and Eve rebelled against God and so suffering entered into the world)
- Suffering/evil is due to our wrong /sinful choices. (cf. Deuteronomic laws) If you do good, you will be rewarded, if you do bad, you will be punished.
- Suffering is there because there is a generational curse. He or she is born disabled because his/her generation has committed sin.
The book of Job is the turning point in the history of salvation about the true understanding of human suffering. Job did not bother about satan, he believed in the powerful God who controlled the satan. Look at the words of Job, "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away". He was very sure that God took all the things away, not Satan. It was God who allowed the suffering to enter the human world. God permitted Satan to make suffer/test His servant for a certain time.
A Philosophy author said, "Others are the Hell" which is true when you do not look at God, when you start comparing yourself with others. Job did not look at others while suffering. He looked at God.
In today's Gospel, disciples are envying someone who was casting out demons in the name of Jesus. Jesus did not see them as hell but as means to enter into heaven. “Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you.”
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