The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, February 5, 2006
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Job 7:1-4, 6-7
Psalm 147:1-6
1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23
Mark 1:29-39

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

When we think of Job, we think of a once-prosperous landowner, sitting on a dung heap scraping his sores. Meanwhile, three friends are trying to convince this totally innocent man that he must have sinned grievously, and God is now punishing him. At first, his faith prompts him to cry out, “The Lord gives, the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord!” Eventually, though, he has to work through a great period of depression and near-despair. While acknowledging his innocence and the seeming injustice of his present condition, he bows his spirit in total and complete trust in the goodness of God, and abandons his soul to total trust.

His powerful story has comforted thousands upon thousands of people who have lost everything, but have held tenaciously to their faith in a loving God. In our own lives, when we feel that God has acted cruelly or unjustly, then we need to look at the crucifix. Was it fair for Jesus whose only crime was loving us, to be killed on a cross after severe humiliation and torture? Was it fair for Mary to suffer the terrible pain that only mothers can know and appreciate?

Like Job, may we never feel that God has abandoned us when He allows us to suffer. Rather, may we have faith enough in the wisdom of Providence that has allowed us to share in the mysterious plan of Jesus’ saving Passion that goes on through the centuries. It all ends in Resurrection.

- Msgr. Paul Whitmore
(smartins at frontiernet dot net)

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