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First Reading: Job 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./ 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./ The Lord listens to the poor.
Gospel Reading: Lk 10:17-24
The seventy-two disciples returned full of joy. They said, "Lord, even the demons obeyed us when we called on your name." Then Jesus replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. You see, I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the Enemy, so that nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, don't rejoice because the evil spirits submit to you; rejoice rather that your names are written in heaven."
At that time Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit and said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and made them known to the little ones. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. I have been given all things by my Father, so that no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and he to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."
Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said to them privately, "Fortunate are you to see what you see, for I tell you that many prophets and kings would have liked to see what you see but did not, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it."
Ember Days
In the Catholic Church, Ember Days are short liturgical cycles that happen at the end and beginning of the four seasons of the year. Originally, their purpose was to dedicate time to thank God for the benefits received from the earth and to ask for his blessing on the crops so that they would produce abundant harvests.
In a way, with today’s readings we continue what we considered yesterday about Saint Francis of Assisi in his relationship with nature and the Creator. The first reading, taken from the book of Exodus, urges us not to forget that everything we have comes from God. «We ask that your light – we read in the Collect – make us discover that it has been you and not our power, who has given us the strength to create the riches of the earth.»
It’s a simple prayer. Easy to say for sensible people if they are humble. The truth is that no one can guarantee a good harvest: rain or lack thereof, pests, fires… Just as there is no business that cannot fail. No one is safe from their efforts, time, and abilities not fully ensuring the prosperity of their business. That’s why it’s foolish to revel in triumph if it happens and attribute it entirely to oneself. Of course, if you can justly appreciate the work done with righteousness and rejoice, giving thanks to God who makes it possible. Talents (strength, intelligence, aptitude, ability, knowledge) can be acquired or developed, and wealth and well-being can be created with them. And it’s very good to rejoice, giving thanks to God, of course.
Not too long ago, it was natural to say «thank God,» «God willing,» «God grant it.» Now those expressions are rarely heard outside of Christian circles, although in Spain there is still a majority of the baptized population… Let’s say it without fear at any time and place. Somewhere I read the following: the worst moment for an atheist is when they feel grateful and can’t find anyone to thank. Following the same logic, our best moment is to give thanks to the One we know loves us and from whom all good things come.
Opening Prayer
Lord, our God,
in your bewildering wisdom,
you let us stand at times
all alone before you with our miseries
and we barely know where you are.
Give us then the courage
to keep our trust in you alive,
as people without pretensions,
humble, without illusions,
but aware that you too have a Son,
who all alone and disfigured,
died one day on a cross for us,
Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Liturgy of the Word
First Reading Introduction
Today, we hear the closing words of the book of Job. In his sufferings he has voiced his complaints, his friends have tried to justify God, but Job cannot understand fully; finally, his eyes have seen, he accepts that God is greater and wiser and that God knows best. We should understand better than Job, for we have seen the suffering face of the crucified Christ.
Gospel Introduction
In the gospel the disciples, and Jesus with them, rejoice that people have been liberated from the power of evil in the name of Jesus.
General Intercessions
– For the poor and the suffering, for the victims of injustice and exploitation, for the lonely and the desperate, that we may not only show them compassion but help them to lighten their burdens, we pray:
– For the dying in their hour of struggle, that by his agony in the garden, the Lord Jesus may be their strength, we pray:
– For all of us, that we may learn to accept our crosses and carry them with Jesus, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Our God and Father,
we bring before you this bread and wine
to be one with Jesus, your Son.
With him, may we not insult those who suffer
with hollow, pious words
but stay by their side,
perhaps in silence listening to their complaints
and just let them feel
that we are there,
with Jesus Christ our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ,
in this Eucharist, your Son has been among us
as the person who died one day for us,
but who lives now a life of glory.
In him, we hope and trust
that no pain is suffered in vain,
but that our mourning, our sickness or misery
may make life more bearable and worth living
to someone whom perhaps we may not know,
on account of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Blessing
The mystery of suffering and evil remains a problem. To many of its questions, we have no answer and a superficial reference to the cross does not satisfy. We know that God wants our happiness. We also know that there is much suffering, much of it caused by people to other people. We keep believing in God's love, with the blessing of Almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
